MANILA, Philippines — Pangilinan-led Maynilad Water Services Inc. is finally sealing a new water deal with the government that will see it staying as one of Metro Manila’s water providers, ending a costly row with President Rodrigo Duterte. That means the removal of several provisions such as the non-interference clause that in the original agreement, prevents a government agency apart from water regulators in opposing rate hike applications. The new deal, if indeed drafted similarly as Manila Water’s, would also prohibit the company from passing corporate tax costs to customers. On the part of Maynilad, the deal should have included an extension of its present contract bound to expire next year. The companies had since dropped their claims, but Guevarra said the new Maynilad contract contains a provision that formalized this.

Source: Philippine Star May 18, 2021 08:26 UTC