The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS; ), 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.

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

The first water system in the Philippines was initiated by the Spanish Philanthropist, Francisco Carriedo y Peredo. 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. 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. 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 + List of former directors and administrators Name Tenure of office Organization Paul W. Mack 1930–1934 Metropolitan Water District Gregorio Anonas 1934–1938 Ambrosio Magsaysay 1938–1947 Manuel Mañosa 1947–1955 Susano R. Nagado 1955–1963 National Waterworks and Sewerage System Authority Jesus C. Perlas 1963–1966 Antonio C. Menor 1966–1969 Sergio M. Isada 1969–1971 Sergio M. Isada 1971–1976 Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System 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 2021–present References:

Private concessionaires Maynilad Manila Water

Notes

References

External links

MWSS Official Website MWSS-RO Official Website