Signing of Operations and Maintenance Agreement for Interim Operations. Left to right: Jonet S. Sanalila, AVP for Corporate Development and Communications, Metro Pacific Water; San Jose del Monte City Lone District Representative Arthur Robes; City Mayor Florida “Ate Rida” Robes; Andrew B. Pangilinan, president and CEO, Metro Pacific Water; and Jose Mari A. Lazo, Chief Finance Officer, Metro Pacific Water.
METRO Pacific Water (MPW), a wholly owned subsidiary of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), has been appointed by the City Government of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, as its temporary partner interim operator for the water distribution operations of the San Jose del Monte Water District under an initial two-month consultancy contract.
The City Government and MPW signed an Operations and Maintenance Agreement on May 20, 2026, following the local government’s interim management of water supply operations from the San Jose del Monte Water District on May 5, 2026.
The appointment of MPW as interim partner operator is in line with City Ordinance No. 2026-03-012, which authorizes the city government to undertake emergency procurement and appoint an interim operator tasked with stabilizing the water distribution system for as long as the emergency persists.
Under the agreement, MPW will operate the water service system on an interim basis while conducting a technical and operational assessment of its current condition. This includes reviewing the state of pipelines, pumping stations, and other factors affecting distribution. The assessment will allow MPW and the city government to identify the causes of the water service problems and recommend investments for longer-term water infrastructure projects to improve water supply for residents.
“Water is among the most essential services for any growing city. The entry of Metro Pacific Water into San Jose del Monte reflects our broader commitment to support local governments in addressing critical infrastructure challenges that directly affect communities. We are here to rebuild confidence in the city’s water system,” MPIC Chairman, President and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan said.
The selection of MPW follows the city government’s due diligence process, led by its technical working group, which assessed the operational track record, service standards, technical capabilities, and financial capacity of several water utility operators.
“This milestone is not only about changing the operator. It is about restoring accountability, proper service, and dignity to every family that has long endured the city’s water problems. We ask for a little time and continued cooperation as we carry out the rehabilitation and necessary changes in the system. You can be assured that your local government will not stop until we achieve the water service that every household deserves,” Mayor Florida Robes said.
According to the city government, MPW was selected for its over 25 years of combined experience in water utility and wastewater treatment operations, access to capital, and capacity to undertake immediate system improvements and longer-term infrastructure upgrades.
“We are deeply grateful for the trust and confidence given to us by the City Government of San Jose del Monte. We recognize the urgency of the situation and understand how vital reliable water service is to the health, livelihood, and quality of life of every San Joseño. Metro Pacific Water is here today to show our commitment to bringing its technical expertise, operational experience, and investment capability to help the city progressively restore adequate and reliable water supply for its people,” MPW president and CEO Andrew Pangilinan said.
MPW and the City Government are in discussions on possible water infrastructure projects that will support San Jose del Monte’s longer-term water supply and distribution needs. These discussions are to be guided by the findings of the technical and operational assessment to ensure that future investments respond to the actual requirements of the system.
The City Government of San Jose del Monte is targeting to restore an adequate and reliable water supply to every household within one year.
“But let me also be honest and transparent: this challenge will not be solved overnight. Rehabilitating and improving a water system takes time, careful planning, sustained investment, and close coordination between the private sector, the local government, and the community itself. As the interim operator, we will do our best to deliver clean water services,” Pangilinan added.
MPW has previously allotted P3.81 billion in capital expenditures in 2026 alone for water system upgrades in Dumaguete City and Iloilo City, reflecting its capacity to support large-scale water infrastructure improvements.
