THE BASES Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) on Monday signed a joint venture agreement with a consortium led by the Villar Group’s Prime Water Infrastructure Corporation (PrimeWater) and Israel’s Tahal Group to deliver smart water and wastewater facilities for New Clark City.
“By offering state-of-the-art water and wastewater services at competitive rates, we are staying true to BCDA’s promise for New Clark City to become the Philippines’ most attractive destination for residences and businesses, and the action-oriented ethos of President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration,” said BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer Vivencio B. Dizon in a statement.
The BCDA inked the deal with PrimeWater, Prime Assets Ventures, Inc., (PAVI), MGS Construction, Inc., and Tahal Group.
Last Nov. 12, the consortium won the tender with its bid of P9.45 per cubic meter charge that applies to water supply only. The same amount will be charged for wastewater services, bringing the total tariff of P18.90 per cubic meter over the first five years of the 30-year joint venture period.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) was the transaction advisor to BCDA on the water project. The ADB described the winning bid as “highly competitive,” compared to water rates in other cities in the Philippines and other parts of Southeast Asia.
PrimeWater provides water supply and distribution systems to real estate developments of sister company Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc. such as Brittany, Camella Homes and Crown Asia. It also has bulk water supply projects with partner water districts, according to its website.
Tahal Group, on the other hand, is described as a “leading global provider of sustainable infrastructure development projects in developing countries worldwide.” It is owned by the Kardan Group, which is listed on Euronext Amsterdam and Tel Aviv Stock Exchange.
Located inside the Clark Special Economic Zone in Pampanga, the New Clark City is being touted as the country’s “first smart, green, and sustainable metropolis.” — E.J.C.Tubayan
