Tubig Pilipinas Group Inc. (TPGI), together with consortium partner FB Infrastructure Corporation, has signed a 25-year Joint Venture Agreement with the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) to modernize and expand the water supply and sewage systems serving the Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB).

Backed by a P1.35-billion infrastructure investment, the project aims to strengthen water and wastewater services in one of the country’s fastest-growing economic zones, supporting industrial expansion and long-term economic development in Central Luzon.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, Central Luzon’s economy grew by 4.5% in 2025, with the industry sector contributing 41.8% of the region’s total economic output. The new concession is expected to help sustain this momentum by providing reliable water infrastructure for businesses, investors, and local communities.

“The Freeport Area of Bataan has an established industrial base and a clear potential for continued growth. Our role is to ensure that its water infrastructure can support the requirements of businesses, communities, and future locators over the next 25 years,” said Ryan Wesley T. Yapkianwee, President of Tubig Pilipinas Group Inc.

Preparing infrastructure for future growth

The concession comes as major infrastructure developments are expected to further boost investment in Bataan, including the planned 32.15-kilometer Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge, which is projected to reduce travel time between the two provinces from around five hours to just 45 minutes while strengthening economic links between Central Luzon and CALABARZON.

The Freeport Area of Bataan was also recognized as Industrial Zone of the Year for Asia-Pacific in fDi Intelligence’s 2025 Global Free Zones of the Year Awards, reflecting its continued expansion and success in attracting investors. The economic zone hosts manufacturing, energy, fintech, and business process outsourcing companies, with Republic Act No. 11453 allowing its expansion beyond its original Mariveles site.

Modernizing water and wastewater systems

Under the agreement, the consortium will undertake a comprehensive modernization program that includes:

  • Expanding, rehabilitating, and replacing approximately 68 kilometers of water pipelines
  • Adding 27 million liters per day of water treatment capacity
  • Expanding wastewater and sanitation services to achieve 100% coverage throughout the Freeport Area of Bataan

The project also targets a significant reduction in non-revenue water—water lost through leaks, theft, or system inefficiencies—from 51% to 20% by 2039.

To improve operational efficiency, the upgraded system will incorporate smart meters, leak detection technologies, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, and cloud-based Geographic Information System (GIS) platforms for real-time monitoring. The project also includes upgrades to water treatment facilities, wastewater systems, and pollution mitigation measures.

Tubig Pilipinas said its experience across the entire water value chain—from source development and bulk water supply to treatment, distribution, wastewater management, metering, and customer service—will support the long-term sustainability of the project.

“Water infrastructure should be ready before growth accelerates,” Yapkianwee said. “Our goal through this partnership is to enhance the capacity of the Freeport Area of Bataan for expansion, while providing dependable and sustainable services to the businesses, industries, and communities reliant upon it.”

Operations to begin in 2027

The Joint Venture Agreement was signed on July 23, 2026, in Mariveles, Bataan, in the presence of representatives from the Public-Private Partnership Center of the Philippines.

Following the issuance of the Notice to Proceed, the consortium will undergo a nine-month transition period, with full operations scheduled to begin in May 2027.

Founded in 2014, Tubig Pilipinas currently operates 12 water infrastructure projects across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, with five additional projects under construction and 13 more in various stages of development. The Bataan concession further expands the company’s nationwide footprint as it continues to grow its presence in the Philippine water infrastructure sector.