BCDA grants original proponent status for ₱5-billion New Clark City water system
The joint venture of Maynilad Water Services Inc. and South Korean firm Korea Water Resources Corp. (K-Water) has secured original proponent status (OPS) for its ₱4.8-billion proposal to manage water and wastewater services in New Clark City, Tarlac.
In a statement, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said it granted the status on Aug. 28 following an unsolicited proposal from the joint venture.
The project will now undergo the standard public-private partnership (PPP) approval process before proceeding to a Swiss challenge, where the OPS holder retains the right to match competing offers submitted by other qualified private sector proponents.
Subject to necessary approvals and the PPP process, the BCDA plans to award the contract in December. The public utility component will be operated by a duly qualified entity.
Maynilad and K-Water are proposing a long-term water supply and wastewater management framework to strengthen utility capacity and establish sustainable infrastructure in New Clark City.
“We are building New Clark City for the decades ahead. That means putting in place the basic systems that will allow businesses to invest, communities to grow, and the city to manage its resources responsibly,” said BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Joshua Bingcang.
Bingcang noted earlier this year that the project would boost New Clark City's water capacity to between 150 million and 200 million liters per day, up from its current 20 million to 30 million liters per day. Maynilad currently operates the city's water supply under a short-term contract set to expire this year.
The BCDA expects the added capacity to meet rising demand from residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial developments. An integrated water and wastewater system will also support high-value economic activities, including advanced manufacturing and data centers.
“Growth requires infrastructure that can keep up with it. Water and wastewater are fundamental to that growth, and we want New Clark City to have a system that is reliable, sustainable, and built to meet the needs of the metropolis for the long term,” Bingcang added.
Securing reliable water and wastewater infrastructure is crucial as the BCDA seeks to attract investments in advanced manufacturing, particularly through its proposed Pax Silica artificial intelligence industrial hub. Situated within New Clark City, the hub aims to draw investments in AI-supporting technologies—such as electronics and semiconductors—that demand a massive water supply.