MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte is set to make a major announcement on the first Monday of January 2020 on the water controversy involving Manila Water Company Inc. and Maynilad Water Services, Inc.

This was learned from Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo on Saturday saying the Chief Executive is set to make the important announcement on Monday, 06 January 2020.

However, Panelo declined to give the details of Duterte’s purported announcement on the water concession deals.

The Presidential Spokesman only hinted on the President’s personal resolve to settle the issue on water concession deals once and for all or long before his term ends in 2022.

“Sabi niya (Duterte), hindi siya papayag na walang mangyari sa kaso na ito,” Panelo said in a Palace briefing.

“I think he repeated that he still wants to talk with those who are involved – the lawyers of the government, the private lawyers. He said, ‘I still want to hear why they allowed this kind of treason against the interest of the Filipino people,’” Panelo added.

“I think what he meant is he will not step out of the presidency without resolving this issue.”

It may be recalled the President threatened to expropriate the water concessionaires and file economic sabotage, plunder and graft charges against those involved in the crafting of the deal, and to take over water distribution if the problem is not resolved.

And even Maynilad and Manila Water already backtracked on their intent to collect around P11 Billion of unimplemented water rate adjustments from five years back, still, Malacanang ordered for the Department of Justice to review the alleged “onerous” agreements and drafting of a new water concession deal that would be advantageous to the public.

The water concession agreements were signed in 1997 during the administration of President Fidel V. Ramos. It was extended until 2037 through the Arroyo administration.

The water concession deals would end in 2022 after the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System earlier canceled the deal extension. (IAMIGO/CNS)