Last December 7, 2017, the MWSS Regulatory Office, along with the two water concessionaires

for Metro Manila, Maynilad and Manila Water, conducted its annual Water Forum at the
University of the Philippines, Bahay ng Alumni. It was an avenue for the MWSS-RO to present
its current status, showcase its future plans, and most importantly receive direct feedback and
comments from the representatives of each city it currently serves and from the general public
who were present.

It is the first of a series of public consultations that MWSS-RO will hold for the rate rebasing
exercise as required under the Concession Agreements between MWSS and the two water
concessionaires - Manila Water and Maynilad. It attracted a total of 185 participants, mostly
representatives of the local government units which consist of the service areas of the two
concessionaires, NGO’s, bulk water suppliers, homeowners associations, subdivision owners
associations, and water service equipment suppliers, among others.

Chief Regulator Patrick N. Ty of MWSS-RO opened the event, calling the current set-up where
private water utilities provide water supply and sanitation services to cities/municipalities under
long-term concession contracts as one of the more successful public-private- partnerships of the
Philippine government. He also announced that MWSS-RO will now be focusing in the midterm
on sewerage and sanitation in the service areas.

Afterwards, Jeric T. Sevilla of Manila Water and Engr. Ronald Padua of Maynilad did their turns
for their respective agencies. MWSS-RO, Manila Water and Maynilad were in full force with their
respective senior managers fielding issues and concerns.

The second of the series of public consultations on the 2018 rate rebasing is scheduled in the
second quarter of this year, at which time MWSS – RO will also launch a similar campaign on
social media, as well as smaller group discussions on the principles of rate rebasing exercises.
Interested parties are enjoined to check this website for updates.