The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) signed on Monday, December 17, a Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) with the consortium led by PrimeWater Infrastructure Corporation to bring the lowest water rate to New Clark City, envisioned to be the first smart, green, and sustainable metropolis in the country.

The signing was witnessed by officials of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) led by Mr. Yoji Morishita, head of ADB’s Office of Public-Private Partnership (OPPP). ADB acted as the transaction adviser on BCDA’s water and wastewater infrastructure project.

The consortium of PrimeWater, Prime Assets Venture, Inc. (PAVI), MGS Construction, Inc., and Israel-based TAHAL Group submitted the lowest bid of PhP9.45 per cubic meter, besting the PhP11.00 per cubic meter bid by the Manila Water Company. 

Soon, residents and locators of New Clark City will enjoy one of the lowest water rates, if not the lowest, in the country. The average basic rates in Metro Manila are around PhP30 per cubic meter.

“My department is proud to be BCDA’s partner on this project,” Mr. Morishita said during the signing ceremony held in Taguig City.

“You have achieved a highly-competitive tariff while bringing state-of-the-art technology and operations to the city which would attract locators, businesses, and residents. At ADB, we are very thankful to you for our continued partnership and we look forward to working with you in many more successful ventures,” he said.

Engr. Fe Rebancos, president of PrimeWater, said they are excited to be part of the “well-planned urban development” that is New Clark City.

“New Clark City gives us the opportunity to build totally new infrastructure ahead of population and urban development…Our partners in this project will provide their expertise to achieve the provision of smart and green water and wastewater services,” said Rebancos.

“Our consortium is 100% prepared and ready financially, technically, and organizationally to deliver world-class water and wastewater services to the New Clark City,” she added.

PrimeWater has over 30 years of proven experience in providing safe and reliable water distribution systems throughout the country. It operates in 124 cities and municipalities from the Cagayan Province in the north to Zamboanga City in the south.

The PhP9.45 per cubic meter rate applies for the water supply only. The same amount shall be charged for wastewater services for a total rate of PhP18.90 per cubic meter for the first five years of the 30-year JV period.