West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) recently posted a service milestone after it extended its water supply operations in Paranaque to 24 hours. The positive development came after more than two decades of problematic water supply in the area.
Maynilad began providing some 35,600 Parañaque residents with 24-hour supply at improved water pressure levels mid-September this year. The service level improvements were made possible after the water company completed its new Villamor Pumping Station and Reservoir. The P470-million facility can store up to 10 million liters of water, which can then be released to customers during peak demand.
In all, 13 areas in Paranque now have 24-hour water supply. These include Sto. Nino, Multinational, Brgy 183, Villamor Airbase, Brgy 201, Kalayaan, Brgy Merville, Moonwalk, Sunvalley Subdivision, Higher and Lower Better Living Subdivision, San Antonio Valley, Tahanan Village and BF Homes.
Another five areas also experienced marked improvements in their water pressure. From 2 to 4 psi (pounds per square inch) pressure, water supply in Malibay, Baclaran, Tambo, Dongalo and La Huerta is now delivered at 6 to 25 psi.
Before Metro Pacific Investments Corporation and DMCI Holdings took over Maynilad in 2007, Paranaque residents had to bear with irregular and expensive water supply. Large subdivisions suffered through rotating water supply schedules and typical households spent around P3,000 for a month’s water supply. Today, Maynilad customers in Paranaque have uninterrupted supply of potable water at an affordable price. Households that consume 30 cu.m. of water a month pay only P680.
Parañaque councilor Rico Golez has expressed his enthusiasm about the development. “As a city councilor, I am very humbled and honored to be the main proponent of the city council resolution which authorized the City Mayor Jun Bernabe to use his police powers to bring Maynilad water. It is a classic example of legislating for the general welfare of the people. As a resident of BF (Homes), I am very happy that my children are now enjoying clean, potable water.”
Maynilad is the private water and wastewater services provider for the West Zone which is composed of the cities of Manila (all but portions of San Andres and Sta. Ana), Quezon City (west of San Juan River, West Avenue, EDSA, Congressional, Mindanao Avenue, the northern part starting from the Districts of the Holy Spirit and Batasan Hills), Makati (west of South Super Highway), Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas and Malabon—all in Metro Manila; Cavite City, and the towns of Bacoor, Imus, Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario—all in Cavite Province.
IN PHOTO: Maynilad project in Paranaque
