Robredo camp OK with renegotiation of water concession agreements
Published Dec 9, 2019 12:00 am
By Raymund Antonio
The camp of Vice President Leni Robredo is open to the renegotiation by the government of the water concession agreements with the country’s two biggest water utilities.
Atty. Barry Gutierrez
(FACEBOOK / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) Vice presidential spokesman Barry Gutierrez said that a renegotiation with water distributors Manila Water Co. and Maynilad Water Services Inc. was an option for both parties. “Una puwede naman talaga sila humingi ng renegotiation. Lagi naman nasa mesa iyon (First of all, they can really ask for renegotiation. That’s always on the table),” he said on “BISErbisyong Leni” radio station. But having said that, Gutierrez was left puzzled why it took President Rodrigo Duterte more than three years to take action on the concession agreements which he claimed disadvantageous to the public. The Chief Executive’s ire was triggered by a recent Singapore arbitration body ruling that awarded about P10-billion in compensation to Manila Water and Maynilad for losses suffered between June 2015 to November 2019. Duterte ordered the filing of criminal, civil, and administrative charges, including economic sabotage against those who crafted the deals. The concession agreements of the two firms are valid until 2037. It was signed with the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), a government corporation, during the Ramos administration in 1997. The Department of Justice recently found out “onerous” provisions that were stipulated in the deal. “Ang punto ko lang dito, eh dapat noong una pa lang tinutukan (My only point here is they should have focused on the matter from the start),” Gutierrez, a lawyer, said. Robredo’s spokesman lamented Duterte’s action had been prompted only by the government’s loss to Manila Water and Maynilad in the arbitration cases. While Duterte criticized those involved in the concession agreements, Gutierrez said he hoped the provisions of the deal detrimental to public interest would be indeed amended. “Baka mamaya, babanat banatan iyan tapos papalitan ng bagong mga tao, ganoon pa rin iyong kontrata. Eh dapat na magbago iyong termino—iyong terms noong kontrata para hindi agrabyado iyong taumbayan,” he said. (What might happen next after the criticisms, the people involved will be replaced, but the contracts are still the same. The terms of the contracts should be changed so the public would not be at disadvantage.)
Atty. Barry Gutierrez(FACEBOOK / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) Vice presidential spokesman Barry Gutierrez said that a renegotiation with water distributors Manila Water Co. and Maynilad Water Services Inc. was an option for both parties. “Una puwede naman talaga sila humingi ng renegotiation. Lagi naman nasa mesa iyon (First of all, they can really ask for renegotiation. That’s always on the table),” he said on “BISErbisyong Leni” radio station. But having said that, Gutierrez was left puzzled why it took President Rodrigo Duterte more than three years to take action on the concession agreements which he claimed disadvantageous to the public. The Chief Executive’s ire was triggered by a recent Singapore arbitration body ruling that awarded about P10-billion in compensation to Manila Water and Maynilad for losses suffered between June 2015 to November 2019. Duterte ordered the filing of criminal, civil, and administrative charges, including economic sabotage against those who crafted the deals. The concession agreements of the two firms are valid until 2037. It was signed with the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), a government corporation, during the Ramos administration in 1997. The Department of Justice recently found out “onerous” provisions that were stipulated in the deal. “Ang punto ko lang dito, eh dapat noong una pa lang tinutukan (My only point here is they should have focused on the matter from the start),” Gutierrez, a lawyer, said. Robredo’s spokesman lamented Duterte’s action had been prompted only by the government’s loss to Manila Water and Maynilad in the arbitration cases. While Duterte criticized those involved in the concession agreements, Gutierrez said he hoped the provisions of the deal detrimental to public interest would be indeed amended. “Baka mamaya, babanat banatan iyan tapos papalitan ng bagong mga tao, ganoon pa rin iyong kontrata. Eh dapat na magbago iyong termino—iyong terms noong kontrata para hindi agrabyado iyong taumbayan,” he said. (What might happen next after the criticisms, the people involved will be replaced, but the contracts are still the same. The terms of the contracts should be changed so the public would not be at disadvantage.)