Villar-led group to ink water supply deal for New Clark City

MANILA, Philippines — State-run Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) is set to sign next week the joint venture (JV) agreement with a consortium led by the Villar Group for the water and wastewater project in New Clark City.

In a statement yesterday, BCDA said it would sign the JV agreement with the consortium composed of PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp., Prime Asset Ventures Inc., MGS Construction Inc. and Israel’s TAHAL Group on Dec. 17.

The consortium was awarded the water and wastewater infrastructure project as it submitted the lowest bid of P9.45 per cubic meter, beating the P11 per cubic meter offer of Ayala-led Manila Water Co. Inc.

The P9.45 per cubic meter rate will apply for the water supply, and the same amount shall be charged for wastewater services, to bring the total rate to P18.90 per cubic meter for the first five years of the 30-year JV period.

With the JV, soon-to-be residents and locators of New Clark City would have the lowest water rate in the country, as well as in the region and globally.

Average water basic rates in Metro Manila are at around P30 per cubic meter.

PrimeWater has over 30 years experience in providing safe and reliable water distribution systems in the country.

To date, PrimeWater operates in 124 cities and municipalities from Cagayan province in the north to Zamboanga City in the south.

Its partner, TAHAL, meanwhile, has been providing world-class solutions in the water, wastewater, agriculture, solid waste and natural gas sectors for more than 60 years.

Located within the Clark Special Economic Zone, New Clark City is the country’s first smart, green and sustainable metropolis.

Phase 1A of New Clark City, which covers 60 hectares, will involve the construction of the National Government Administrative Center for the back-up offices of government agencies.

In addition, Phase1A involves building a world-class sports complex for the Philippines’ hosting of the Southeast Asian Games next year.