Last December 7, 2017, the MWSS-Regulatory Office (MWSS-RO), along with the two water concessionaires for the MWSS Service Area (Metro Manila, Rizal and Cavite) conducted its annual water forum at the University of the Philippines, Bahay ng Alumni. It was an avenue of the MWSS-RO to present its current status, showcase its future plans, and most importantly  receive direct feedback and comments from the representatives of each city, it currently serves and the general public who were present.

The forum is  the first of a series of public consultations that MWSS-RO will hold  for  the  rate rebasing exercise it is required to hold this year  (2018) under the concession agreements  between MWSS and the  two water concessionaires.  It  attracted around 200 participants, mostly representatives of the local government units which are part of the service areas of the two concessionaires, NGO’s, bulk water suppliers, homeowners associations, subdivision owners associations, water service equipment suppliers among others.

Atty. Patrick N. Ty, the Chief Regulator  of MWSS-RO opened the event, calling the current set-up  where  private water utilities provide water supply, sanitation and sewerage services to cities/municipalities under long-term concession contracts as one of the more successful  public-private- partnerships of the Philippine government. He also announced that the MWSS-RO will be focusing  in the midterm on sewerage and sanitation in  the service areas.

Afterwards, Mr. Jeric  T. Sevilla of Manila Water and Engr. Ronald Padua of Maynilad spoke on the accomplishments and plans of their respective agencies.

MWSS-RO, Manila Water and Maynilad were in full force  with their respective senior managers fielding  issues and concerns.

The documentation of the forum  will be uploaded on this site by February 2018. It will include all the presentations made by the concessionaires and the MWSS-RO on the status of their respective work programs and plans and the highlights of the Q&A session.

The second of the series of public consultations on the 2018 rate rebasing is  scheduled  in the second quarter of this year, at which time the MWSS – RO will also launch a similar campaign on social media, as well as smaller group discussions on the principles of rate rebasing  exercises.  Interested parties are  enjoined to check this website for updates.