Capacity Building for the Regulatory Office of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System

Water services are increasingly being privatized in many countries; the Philippines is no exception. The operations of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) were privatized in August 1997 through the award of two 25-year concession contracts.1 Many other local water utilities in the country are considering similar options. With this development, the Government of the Philippines has become aware of the urgent need to establish regulatory mechanisms and strengthen capabilities of various water utilities to handle regulatory work.