Razon-led Manila Water Co. Inc. said it invested ₱26.3 billion last year to strengthen water and wastewater services for its over nine million customers in the country.
In a statement, Manila Water said these investments were made to ensure a reliable water supply and improve service accessibility in the face of rising customer demand.
In 2024, Manila Water allocated 90 percent, or ₱23.6 billion, of its group-wide capital expenditure (capex) to projects within the East Zone of Metro Manila and Rizal province. These investments focused on water supply augmentation, crucial for meeting service and regulatory commitments.
Specifically, ₱7.6 billion was directed towards the East Bay Phase 2 project's 200 million-liter-per-day (MLD) water treatment plant and the 3.4-kilometer (km) Long Term East 3 Ruhale-Bambang Felix Line.
Additionally, ₱5.6 billion was invested in the Wawa-Calawis Phase 2 project, aimed at providing an additional 518 MLD to Antipolo, Teresa, Baras, and parts of Metro Manila.
Further, ₱1.2 billion was allocated for retrofitting and upgrading the East Avenue Sewage Treatment Plant with biological nutrient removal (BNR) technology, along with other water supply reliability projects and maintenance of common purpose facilities.
The company also invested ₱1.5 billion in the ongoing construction of the 53-km Mandaluyong-West Sewer Network project, set to benefit 700,000 customers in Mandaluyong, San Juan, and Quezon City by 2037, featuring a 60 MLD sewage treatment plant.
Wastewater service development in Rizal saw ₱1.2 billion allocated, including the Hinulugang Taktak Sewerage System and the San Mateo-Rodriguez Sewerage System. Another ₱6.5 billion was invested in various wastewater system upgrades and improvements, such as the Taguig North Sewerage System and the Ilugin Sewage Treatment Plant, and the implementation of BNR technology in wastewater treatment processes.
Manila Water also invested ₱2.7 billion in its non-East Zone operating units. Around ₱1.6 billion was spent on Estate Water and Laguna Water projects, including the Canlubang Sugar Estate Transmission Line in Laguna, the Alviera Sewer Treatment Plant (STP) in Pampanga, and the Crescendo Estate Commercial Cistern Project in Tarlac.
Further, ₱600 million was used to upgrade Boracay Water’s Manoc-Manoc and Balabag STPs to BNR technology, and for the design and reassessment of Ilagan Water’s water treatment plant project. Another ₱600 million was allocated for the BNR upgrade of Clark Water’s STP and South Luzon projects.
The company noted its commitment to maintaining water losses below 15 percent in the East Zone and ensuring 24/7 supply across its service areas, despite climate change and increasing demand.
Manila Water added that these investments address the need to develop new water sources and meet the demands of increasing population and urbanization.