MANILA, Philippines – INAPRUBAHAN ng Economy and Development (ED) Council, dating kilala bilang NEDA (National Economic and Development Authority) Board, ang 10-year extension ng concession agreements ng Maynilad Water Services Inc. at Manila Water Company Inc.
Sa isang kalatas, sinabi ng Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) na ang ED Council, kung saan ang chairman ay si Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr., ay nagdaos ng inaugural meeting noong Hunyo 18.
Sa nasabing pulong, inaprubahan ng ED Council ang kahilingan ng Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) na palawigin ang Revised Concession Agreements ng dalawang major water service providers.
“The move aims to ensure sustained access to safe, reliable, and affordable water for Metro Manila and surrounding provinces,” ayon sa DEPDev.
Ang CA extension — mula Hulyo 31, 2037 hanggang Enero 21, 2047 — ay alinsunod sa kontrata at sa legislative franchises ng parehong concessionaires, bilang ipinag-uutos ng Republic Act (RA) Nos. 11600 at 11601.
Sinabi ng DEPDev na ang ekstensyon ay inaasahang magpapabilis sa capital investments, mababawasan ang tariff pressures, at makasisiguro ng long-term water supply.
Inaasahan din na makalilikha ito ng karagdagang kita para sa pamahalaan na tinatayang aabot sa P50.3 bilyon, ayon sa Economic Planning Department.
“Ensuring water security is fundamental to fostering economic growth and improving the quality of life for our growing population,” ang sinabi ni ED Council Vice Chairperson at Economics Secretary Arsenio Balisacan.
“By aligning the concession agreements with legislative franchises, we are promoting policy coherence and long-term investment planning in the water sector, which are essential for delivering clean, reliable, and affordable water services to millions of Filipinos,” aniya pa.
Maliban sa ekstensyon ng water concession deals, inaprubahan din ng ED Council ang dalawang bagong infrastructure projects na tutustusan sa pamamagitan ng Official Development Assistance (ODA).
Isa sa mga aprubadong proyekto ay ang P27.7-bilyong Farm-to-Market Bridges Development Program ng Department of Agriculture.
Sa ilalim ng programa, “the DA aims to construct 300 climate-resilient modular steel bridges across 52 provinces in 15 regions.”
“By improving physical connectivity in farming and fishing communities, the Farm-to-Market Bridges Development Program addresses persistent infrastructure gaps that limit market access, increase post-harvest losses, and hinder rural productivity,” pahayag ni Balisacan.
“It also aims to uplift rural incomes and improve food logistics, particularly in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas,” dagdag pa niya.
Inaprubahan din ng ED Council ang P5.1-bilyong Liloan Bridge Construction Project ng Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
“The project involves constructing a four-lane, 721-meter bridge connecting Panaon Island to mainland Leyte, replacing the deteriorated existing structure,” ayon sa kalatas ng DEPDev.
Ang bridge project ay inaasahang mapabubuti ang mabilis na pagkilos at access para sa mga residente at biyahero sa mga munisipalidad ng Liloan, San Francisco, Pintuyan, at San Ricardo, habang pinasisigla ang lokal na aktibidad sa ekonomiya at paglikha ng trabaho sa rehiyon.
“The inaugural meeting of the Economy and Development Council sets the tone for a more integrated and responsive approach to development planning and investment programming,” ayon pa kay Balisacan.
“By strengthening water resources, agricultural productivity, and infrastructure connectivity, we aim to unlock greater economic opportunities and foster inclusive growth for more communities across the country,” dagdag na pahayag nito. Kris Jose
