Maynilad pushes permit overhaul to speed water projects

August 7, 2026

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Maynilad Water Services Inc. is backing government efforts to overhaul the permitting process for water infrastructure projects, saying faster approvals would accelerate investments, reduce service disruptions, and improve the delivery of water services to millions of consumers.
Speaking at a forum organized by the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), Maynilad President and Chief Executive Officer Ramoncito Fernandez said regulatory bottlenecks have become a significant obstacle to infrastructure development, often delaying repairs and the completion of critical water and wastewater projects.
“Providing safe and reliable water and wastewater services requires sustained investments in pipelines, treatment plants, pumping stations, reservoirs and other critical facilities,” Fernandez said.
“But investments and technical capability are not enough. We also need a regulatory environment that allows essential projects and repairs to move forward efficiently while protecting public safety, the environment and the interests of affected communities.”
Fernandez said varying documentary requirements, approval timelines, and local government clearances frequently slow pipe-laying, emergency repairs, road restoration, and the construction or rehabilitation of water facilities.
“The impact is straightforward. A delayed repair may mean more water lost and a longer service interruption. A delayed infrastructure project may mean communities have to wait longer for improved service,” he said.
Maynilad welcomed ARTA’s initiative to harmonize documentary requirements, establish clearer procedures for emergency repairs, and create an Electronic Water One-Stop Shop (eWOSS) to simplify permit applications.
The reforms come as water concessionaires ramp up capital spending to expand distribution networks and improve wastewater treatment, making permitting efficiency an increasingly important factor in delivering infrastructure on schedule and containing project costs.
ARTA Director General Ernesto Perez said a proposed executive order institutionalizing the streamlined permitting framework is now under review by the Office of the Executive Secretary.
The proposed order would establish the digital eWOSS platform, standardize documentary requirements nationwide, integrate permit processing, simplify procedures for emergency repair and maintenance works, and harmonize restoration requirements for infrastructure projects.
Perez said the government is targeting the President’s approval before the end of October.
If implemented, the reforms could reduce one of the sector’s biggest non-financial hurdles. Faster and more predictable permitting would not only speed project execution but also encourage greater investment in water infrastructure, helping utilities keep pace with rising urban demand while minimizing disruptions to consumers.