Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad Water) and the government’s review panel are tentatively set on Monday, May 3, to start talks on a new water concession agreement (CA), Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra said on Wednesday afternoon, April 28.
Guevarra said the government panel has sent a revised copy of the CA to Maynilad Water and “I understand that Maynilad has referred the said CA to its principals and is presently awaiting their comments.”
Manila Water Company, Inc. (Manila Water), another water concessionaire in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, has already signed a new CA with the government last March 31.
Guevarra had said the CA with Manila Water will be effective six months from the date of signing.
In the case of Maynilad Water, Guevarra said its contract with the government will expire in 2022.
President Duterte himself pushed for the revision of the water concession deals as early as December 2019 after a DOJ panel of reviewers found numerous onerous provisions in the existing agreements then signed with the two water concessionaires.
Last Nov. 10, the President approved the drafts of the revised concession agreements with Maynilad and Manila Water.