The Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad Water) is set to sign today, May 18, its new concession agreement (CA) with the government and issue a waiver to its P7.4 billion indemnification award issued in 2019 by the Singapore Permanent Court of Arbitration.
The signing of a new CA and the waiver relinquishing its award were disclosed by Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra to journalists covering the Department of Justice (DOJ).
He said the new CA with Maynilad Water will be signed for the government by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS).
“The revised concession agreement between the MWSS and Maynilad contains essentially the same terms as those in the recently signed revised concession agreement between the MWSS and Manila Water Company, Inc.,” Guevarra said.
“The onerous provisions (e.g., non-interference clause, charging corporate income tax to consumers, etc.) have been removed, contingent liabilities of the government have been substantially reduced, and a framework for better service to the public has been put in place,” he assured.
Manila Water Company, Inc. (MWCI) already signed last March 31 its revised concession deal with the government.
Maynilad Water and Manila Water are the two water firms which have concessions in Metro Manila and the nearby provinces.
President Duterte himself pushed for the revision of the pre-existing water concession deals with the two companies as early as December 2019 after a DOJ panel of reviewers found numerous onerous provisions.