WATER utility Maynilad Water Services Inc. (MWSI) is considering a joint venture with a foreign company to design a plan aimed at reducing non-revenue water (NRW) losses.

A partnership between DMCI Holdings and Metro Pacific Investments Corp., MWSI said it is in active talks with” two companies, which have the technologies to address the NRW. We expect to finalize negotiations next month,” said MWSI chief operating officer Herbert Consunji in an interview.

In 2007, MWSI’s NRW was at 68 percent. The company wants to lower it to 59 percent by year-end.

NRW is water that has been produced but got “lost” before it reaches the customers. Losses can happen through leaks, theft or metering inaccuracies. High levels of NRW are detrimental to the financial viability of water utilities, as well to the quality of water itself.

MWSI earlier benefited from a World Bank loan (WB) the government, through the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), secured to rehabilitate facilities and reduce NRW.

MWSS borrowed $125 million from WB and another $50 million from other sources for the renovation. MWSI, as the concessionaire, will serve as the loans’ implementing arm.

MWSI supplies more than 2.1 billion liters of water a day to approximately six million of the eight million customers covered by its concession in the west zone of Metro Manila.

NEW York-based business process outsourcing (BPO) firm ExlService Holdings Inc. said it expects capital expenses for its Philippine operation to hit $10 million (approximately P420 million) this year.

Filinvest Land to put up business hotel in Davao

DAVAO CITY—Filinvest Land will construct a businessman’s hotel here this year.

Tristan Las Marias, Filinvest vice president for the Visayas and Mindanao, said the hotel will rise in uptown Buhangin and will cater mainly to business travelers.

LISTED Aboitiz Power Corp. (APC) is pouring in P10 billion to help complete the construction and expansion of various power generation facilities.

WATER utility Maynilad Water Services Inc. (MWSI) is considering a joint venture with a foreign company to design a plan aimed at reducing non-revenue water (NRW) losses.

THE continuous spike in world oil prices has opened new windows of opportunity for Sultan Mining and Energy Development Corp. (SMEDC) by way of creating a new market for its coal output to manufacturers in Mindanao.

Did you know 1: In the past few years, BMW Phils. has seen, uhm, a migration of skilled workers and mid-management to Felix Ang’s CATS Motors, the local distributor of Mercedes Benz.