Public Private Partnership (PPP) Center officers conducted site visit and inspection to the Dagupan City Water District (DCWD) – Pamana Water Corporation (PAMANA WATER) Joint Venture on July 21, 2023 as part of the PPP Center’s initiative to assist government agencies which are in partnership with private entities.
The DCWD Management headed by General Manager (GM) Rizaldy T. Mandap welcomed the officers from PPP Center namely Mr. Ronald Mangilin and Engr. Louie Jay Panis from Project Monitoring Division and Mr. Ramil Luteria from Knowledge Management Division.
The PPP Center is an attached agency of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) which is mandated to facilitate the implementation of the country’s PPP Program and Projects and serves as the central coordinating and monitoring agency for all PPP projects in the Philippines. The agency also provides technical assistance to national government agencies (NGAs), government-owned-and controlled corporations (GOCCs), government financial institutions (GFIs), state universities and colleges (SUCs), and local government units (LGUs) as well as to the private sector to help develop and implement critical infrastructure and other development projects.
Engr. Panis explained that the DCWD may request legal and technical assistance from the PPP Center for its 25-Year Joint Venture Agreement with PAMANA WATER along with the review and evaluation of solicited or unsolicited proposals submitted by private entities for project partnerships.
The DCWD showed the history, legal framework, project progress and lessons learned of the Joint Venture through an Audio-Visual presentation, highlighting all projects and programs that were successfully accomplished and those that are still ongoing.
GM Mandap emphasized that based on the approved Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) investment of PAMANA WATER to the Joint Venture which is a total of P 1,080,039,000.00, PAMANA WATER submits plans, detailed estimates and program of works to the DCWD Construction and Maintenance Division for review and evaluation. These projects and programs are then recommended for approval to the DCWD Board Of Directors by the GM upon final and thorough review.
The GM also stressed that the DCWD-CMD continuously monitors the activities of the Joint Venture’s ongoing projects and provides performance review and recommendations for improvement.
When asked about the challenges encountered and the best practices applied by the DCWD, GM Mandap stated that an open communication between DCWD and PAMANA WATER helped contribute to a harmonious relationship towards aiming the collective goal of the Joint Venture which is “Primarily to attain the highest possible level of water supply services for, as far as feasibly possible, one hundred percent (100%) of water consumers in the JV Area.”
After the discussion, the PPP Center officers with employees from the DCWD-CMD lead by Mr. Renato N. Mundo – OIC-CMD Manager and PAMANA WATER-Engineering Division headed by Branch Manager (BM) Glenn I. Gomez, conducted site inspections on the accomplished and ongoing projects of the Joint Venture such as the Pumping Station at Bacayao Sur, Pumping Station at Claveria Road, Malued, Ground Reservoir at Sitio Maligaya, Bonuan Gueset and Tambac Bridge.
The DCWD employees who also took part in the activity were Mr. Raul T. Castano – Finance Services Department Manager, Mr. Jason G. Estrada – Administrative and Human Resource Division Manager, Engr. Kurt Eddison M. Claveria – Principal Engineer D, Gretchen G. Buena – Senior Industrial Relations Management Officer A, Michael A. Fabe – Corporate Budget Specialist A, Ma. Steely Ann P. Raga – Public Relations Officer A, Ronnie C. Salayog – Water/Sewerage Maintenance Foreman and Engr. Hide Aki I. Sakamoto – Water/Sewerage Maintenance Man A.
PAMANA WATER employees who assisted in the said activity were Mr. Ludivico Balderama – Engineering Department Manager, Mr. Jessie Rapadas – Production Department Manager, Mr. Audemar E. Abarabar – Senior Management Information / System Analyst, Mr. Patrick Vhon Gerald L. Geronimo – Administrative Clerk and Mr. Kim Patrick D. Dizon – Administrative Clerk.
The visit of the PPP Center provided an opportunity for the DCWD to present the accomplishments of the Joint Venture, clarify concerns and address common issues in a Joint Venture. This activity highlighted that the DCWD – PAMANA WATER Joint Venture has brought together diverse expertise, resources, and capacities to address water challenges effectively leading to improved and sustainable water supply services in Dagupan City.
