Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System

The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System^[1] (MWSS; Filipino: Pangasiwaan ng Tubig at Alkantarilya sa Kalakhang Maynila),^[5] formerly known as the National Waterworks and Sewerage Authority (NAWASA), is a government agency responsible for overseeing water privatization in Metro Manila and the nearby provinces of Cavite and Rizal, in the Philippines.^[6][7]

Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System

Pangasiwaan ng Tubig at Alkantarilya sa Kalakhang Maynila
MWSS Headquarters
Agency overview
Formed	June 19, 1971; 53 years ago (1971-06-19)[1]
Preceding agencies	Carriedo Water System (1882) Manila Water Supply System (1908) Metropolitan Water District (1919) National Waterworks and Sewerage System Authority (1955)
Type	Regulatory agency
Headquarters	Katipunan Avenue, Balara, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
Annual budget	₱5.69 billion (2022)[2]
Agency executive	Elpidio J. Vega (chairman)[3][4]
Parent department	Office of the President of the Philippines
Website	mwss.gov.ph

The agency divided the water concession into two zones: the East Zone, awarded to Manila Water, and the West Zone, awarded to Maynilad Water Services.

History

Zones of Metro Manila allocated to Maynilad Water (red) and Manila Water (blue)

NAWASA (1955, building, Aroceros, Manila in 2016)

Facade of Filtration Plant No. 1 of Balara Filters Park in February 2014

The first water system in the Philippines was initiated by the Spanish Philanthropist, Francisco Carriedo y Peredo.^[8] Carriedo donated funds to be used in Manila; however, it was never realized until a century later, when the Spanish Franciscan friar Felix Huerta tracked down the funds donated by Carriedo, and instigated the development of the Carriedo Water System.^[9][10] The construction of the water system delivered 16 million liters of water per day to 300,000 people. By 1909, the capacity of the system was increased to 92 million liters per day by the addition of pumping facilities and the construction of Wawa Dam.

With its expansion of responsibilities, the institution changed its name several times from the Carriedo Water System, to the Manila Water Supply System in 1908, to the Metropolitan Water District in 1919, to the National Waterworks and Sewerage System Authority (NAWASA; Pangasiwaan ng Pambansang Tubig at Alkantarilya), and finally, to the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) in 1971.

Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System Regulatory Office

The MWSS Regulatory Office (RO) was created in August 1997 by virtue of the Concession Agreements signed between the MWSS and the two concessionaires, Manila Water Company, Inc.^[11] for the East Zone and Maynilad Water Services, Inc. for the West Zone.

RO functions as a collegial body composed of five members headed by the Director or Chief Regulator who has over-all responsibility for the operation of the office. Other members are the Regulators for Technical Regulation, Customer Service Regulation, Financial Regulation and Administration and Legal Affairs.

Any action or decision by the RO on substantive matters affecting the Concession Agreement requires at least a majority vote of three members. The Chief Regulator chairs the meeting of the Regulatory Office and has the final approval over the hiring and dismissal of all professional staff of the RO. He also acts as the principal spokesperson of the office.

RO is mandated to monitor the Concession Agreement. Among its many functions, RO reviews, monitor and enforces rates and service standards; arranges and reports regular independent audits of the performance of the Concessionaires; and monitors the infrastructure assets. However, RO's functions may change over time for effective regulation of water and sewerage services.

Organization

Former Directors & Administrators
Name	Tenure of office
Paul W. Mack[a]	1930–1934
Gregorio Anonas	1934–1938
Ambrosio Magsaysay	1938–1947
Manuel Mañosa	1947–1955
Susano R. Nagado[b]	1955–1963
Jesus C. Perlas	1963–1966
Antonio C. Menor	1966–1969
Sergio M. Isada[c]	1969–1976
Oscar J. Ilustre	1976–1983
Abor P. Canlas	1983–1986
Jose Yap	1986–1987
Luis V. Sison	1987–1992
Teofilo J. Asuncion	1992–1994
Ruben A. Hernandez	1994–1995
Dr. Angel L. Lazaro III	1995–1997
Dr. Reynaldo B. Vea	1997–2000
Jose F. Mabanta	2000–2001
Orlando C. Hondrade	2001–2006
Lorenzo H. Jamora	2007–2008
Diosdado Jose M. Allado	2008–2010
Gerardo A. I. Esquivel	2010–2011
Rogelio L. Singson	2011–2017
Reynaldo V. Velasco	2017–2019
Emmanuel Salamat	2019–2021
Leonor C. Cleofas[d]	Incumbent
References	[12][13][14][15][16][4]

Private concessionaires

• Maynilad^[17]
• Manila Water^[17]

Notes

1. As head of Metropolitan Water District
2. As head of National Waterworks and Sewerage System Authority (NAWASA) starting 1955
3. As head of Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) starting 1971
4. First female administrator