Barangay Poblacion, Muntinlupa City
December 15, 2023

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. called for sustained collaboration between the private and public sectors to counteract the anticipated effects of El Niño in 2024, during the inauguration of the Poblacion Water Treatment Plant (WTP) by the Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) in Barangay Poblacion, Muntinlupa City.

“We stand on the brink of completing this crucial project—a necessity heightened by the current challenge posed by the El Niño phenomenon. Your collective efforts ensure that we exceed the demands of our people in these trying times,” the President said in his message, citing a recent forecast suggesting that the El Niño phenomenon might persist until the second quarter of 2024.

The Chief Executive emphasized the importance of repairing water pipes to prevent leakages and completing ongoing water supply projects to ensure an ample supply. He underscored that having a sufficient water supply is a fundamental right of the people.

Reassuring the public, he added that the government has already begun its accelerated efforts to prepare for the impending drought caused by the El Niño.

“We have a good buffer until mainly the end of the first quarter. Now, what we need to do is to prepare a further capacity so that should the El Niño extend to the second quarter of next year, we are still, at the very least, able to supply potable water, especially in the urban areas, we are able to supply our agriculture, we are able to supply our industry,” he stated. He also emphasized the critical need for an adequate supply of water in hospitals.

Furthermore, Maynilad is poised to construct two (2) additional modular treatment plants (ModTP) in Bacoor, which are expected to be fully operational in the fourth quarter of 2024. This initiative is in addition to the two (2) partially operational ModTP in Imus, Cavite. Once these plants are fully operational, they will have the capacity to supply 32.5 million liters per day (MLD) of potable water.

“We are familiar with the capabilities of both private sector and public sector put us together and there is much that we can do and let us do that, so that we have done our duty to the people and continue to provide, as what I consider, their right to availability of clean, fresh water,” he said in conclusion.

The Poblacion WTP is set to produce an initial 50 MLD this month and is expected to be fully operational by the first half of 2024. This new facility is part of Maynilad’s PhP220 billion service enhancement program from 2023 to 2027, which aims to promote improved water sustainability and climate resiliency.

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