THE Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has granted original proponent status (OPS) to a consortium of Maynilad Water Services Inc. and South Korea’s state-owned Korea Water Resources Corp. (K-Water) for a proposed P14.8-billion water supply and wastewater management project in New Clark City.
An OPS is given by a government agency to a private company that submits an unsolicited proposal for a public-private partnership (PPP) project.
The BCDA board granted it following a review and discussions with the proponents.
The project aims to provide reliable water services and proper wastewater treatment in New Clark City that complies with environmental and wastewater standards.
It is expected to meet the growing utility needs of residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial developments on the property spanning 9,450 hectares across the municipalities of Capas and Bamban in Tarlac.
It will also provide additional capacity as New Clark City draws more investments. Industries such as advanced manufacturing, data centers, and other high-value businesses are seen to benefit from an integrated water and wastewater system.
“Growth requires infrastructure that can keep up with it. Water and wastewater are fundamental to that growth, and we want New Clark City to have a system that is reliable, sustainable, and built to meet the needs of the metropolis for the long term,” BCDA President and CEO Joshua Bingcang said.
Developing basic infrastructure early would help attract businesses, support communities through job creation, ensure responsible resource management and long-term economic growth in New Clark City, he added.
The public utility component of the project will be operated by a qualified entity, BCDA said.
The proposal will undergo the required approval process before proceeding to a Swiss challenge, in which other qualified private-sector proponents may submit competing offers.
The contract will be awarded in December, subject to the outcome of the PPP process, regulatory approvals, and other requirements.
