THE DUMAGUETE City Water District (DCWD) has voluntarily put on hold the P1.62-billion public-private partnership (PPP) project with MetroPac Water Investments Corp. (MPW) after the city government filed for a temporary restraining order. MPW, a unit of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), officially received from the DCWD in May a notice of award on the PPP. The contract involves a joint venture agreement for a 25-year concession. DCWD General Manager Esperato A. Dicen, speaking to The Freeman, said that while they are giving way to the court proceedings, he defended that the project would improve services and facilities. Mr. Dicen also pointed out that all the equipment and upgrades that will be funded by the MPW will be turned over to the DCWD at the end of the concession period. He also allayed fears that the partnership would significantly raise water rates. “Expected man nga mo-raise ang presyo, pero dili grabe [It is expected that the price will be raised, but it won’t be too much],” he said. The Regional Trial Court Branch 38 has set the hearing for a preliminary injunction on Sept. 12. MPIC is one of three key Philippine units of Hong Kong-based First Pacific Co. Ltd., the others being Philex Mining Corp. and PLDT, Inc. Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has a majority stake in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — The Freeman

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