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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Trade & Industry devider Pangilinan's Metro Pacific Water takes over Bulacan supply system

Pangilinan's Metro Pacific Water takes over Bulacan supply system

Published Jun 5, 2026 12:08 pm
Executives from Metro Pacific Water (MPW) and officials from the San Jose del Monte local government unit formalize the signing of the Operations and Maintenance Agreement for Interim Operations in Bulacan. Witnessing the transition are (left to right) Jonet S. Sanalila, MPW Assistant Vice President for Corporate Development and Communications; Arthur Robes, San Jose del Monte City Lone District Representative; Florida “Ate Rida” Robes, City Mayor; Andrew B. Pangilinan, MPW President and CEO; and Jose Mari A. Lazo, MPW.
Executives from Metro Pacific Water (MPW) and officials from the San Jose del Monte local government unit formalize the signing of the Operations and Maintenance Agreement for Interim Operations in Bulacan. Witnessing the transition are (left to right) Jonet S. Sanalila, MPW Assistant Vice President for Corporate Development and Communications; Arthur Robes, San Jose del Monte City Lone District Representative; Florida “Ate Rida” Robes, City Mayor; Andrew B. Pangilinan, MPW President and CEO; and Jose Mari A. Lazo, MPW.
Metro Pacific Water (MPW), a unit of tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan’s Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), has taken over the water distribution network of San Jose del Monte City in Bulacan on an interim basis.
In a statement on Friday, June 5, MPW said the local government of San Jose del Monte appointed the company under a city ordinance that authorizes emergency procurement and the hiring of an interim operator to stabilize the water distribution system during a crisis.
The decision followed the emergency takeover of local water assets from the San Jose del Monte Water District and PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp., which faced heavy local criticism over service reliability and incomplete projects.
Under the short-term, two-month consultancy contract, MPW will oversee daily water service delivery while conducting an extensive operational audit of the city's pipe networks, pumping stations, and distribution channels to pinpoint system failures and draft a long-term capital expenditure framework.
The local government unit chose MPW after a due diligence review by its technical working group, which evaluated the track records and capitalization of several industry players, including field visits to utility operations in Negros Occidental, Cagayan de Oro, Nueva Ecija, and Dumaguete City. The selection was driven by MPW's 25-year operational footprint in water and wastewater management, alongside its immediate access to capital for system upgrades.
MPIC Chairman, President, and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan stated that the utility provider's entry into the Bulacan city aligns with the group’s broader strategy to support municipal governments in resolving critical urban infrastructure bottlenecks.
San Jose del Monte Mayor Florida Robes emphasized that the operational transition aims to restore accountability and proper service standards for thousands of families affected by prolonged utility shortages, noting that the city targets a full supply recovery within one year.
For his part, MPW President and CEO Andrew Pangilinan acknowledged the urgency of the supply situation, adding that while the company will deploy engineering interventions to stabilize water pressure immediately, a comprehensive rehabilitation of the distribution grid will require sustained capital deployment.
"We recognize the urgency of the situation and understand how vital reliable water service is to the health, livelihood, and quality of life of every San Joseño. Metro Pacific Water is here today to show our commitment to bringing its technical expertise, operational experience, and investment capability to help the city progressively restore adequate and reliable water supply for its people,” he said.
Pangilinan added, “Water is among the most essential services for any growing city. The entry of Metro Pacific Water into San Jose del Monte reflects our broader commitment to support local governments in addressing critical infrastructure challenges that directly affect communities.”
Commercial discussions are underway between the LGU and MPW for prospective joint long-term infrastructure developments, which will be guided by the technical findings of the two-month systemic assessment.
The Pangilinan-led water firm recently budgeted ₱3.81 billion in capital expenditures for its ongoing 2026 expansion and network modernization projects in Iloilo and Dumaguete. This includes the installation of 86,073 new water service links, non-revenue water (NRW) programs, desalination works, and the acceleration of its saltwater-to-potable water conversion efforts, as the company aims to reach a capacity of about 65 million liters per day.

Related Tags

Metro Pacific Investments Corporation San Jose del Monte (SJDM) PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp.
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