BCDA grants Maynilad, K-Water consortium OPS for P14.8B water project

CLARK, Pampanga — The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has granted original proponent status 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, Tarlac, the agency said.

The BCDA Board granted the consortium original proponent status on Aug. 28 following its evaluation and negotiations with the proponents, according to a BCDA media release issued on the project.

The proposed long-term project is intended to expand water supply and wastewater treatment capacity for residential, commercial, institutional and industrial developments in New Clark City as the emerging economic hub in Tarlac attracts more investments and communities.

BCDA said the project is designed to provide reliable utility services and ensure wastewater is treated in accordance with applicable environmental and wastewater treatment standards.

“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 M. Bingcang said.

BCDA said an integrated water and wastewater system could help support industries that require dependable utility services, including advanced manufacturing, data centers and other high-value economic activities.

The project forms part of BCDA’s broader effort to develop New Clark City’s physical and utility infrastructure alongside its economic base, the agency said.

The proposed public utility component would be operated by a duly qualified entity, BCDA said, without identifying in the release the eventual operator.

The project will next go through the required approval process before proceeding to a Swiss challenge, under which other qualified private-sector proponents may submit competing proposals.

The Swiss challenge is intended to subject the proposal to competition before any final award is made.

BCDA said the award of the contract is targeted for December 2026, subject to the outcome of the applicable public-private partnership process, required approvals and other conditions.

The proposed project would add to ongoing infrastructure investments in New Clark City, a planned urban development in Tarlac that BCDA is positioning as an investment and economic center.

BCDA said the project is also aligned with the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s infrastructure-led economic development agenda.

No final concession or project award has been made at this stage, with the proposal still subject to the applicable PPP approval and competitive-challenge process.