WaterLinks organized and accompanied a group of senior WASH officials from Nepal to Malaysia and the Philippines from 21 February to 2 March 2023. The group was led by Mr. Mani Ram Gelal, Secretary, Ministry of Water Supply in the Government of Nepal. It is working on drafting the regulations to give effect to the recently (October 2022) passed Water Supply and Sanitation Act.

In Malaysia, the delegation got a first-hand impression of the structure and modus operandi of SPAN (the National Water Service Commission). It was also able to meet with regulated entities such as Air Selangor and the Indah Water Konsortium. Useful insights were also obtained during a discussion the group had with Datuk Ir Abdul Kadir Din Mohd, former CEO of PAAB (Pengurusan Aset Air Berhad).

In the Philippines, the group met with MWSS-RO (the Metro Manila Water and Sewerage System – Regulatory Office) where Mr. Patrick Ty, Chief Regulator, and his colleagues, made a comprehensive presentation on the RO’s functions, powers, and operating processes. A rich discussion ensued. Meetings were also held with the two principal regulated entities – Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water Services Company Inc. to understand their perspectives on how regulation impacted the quality of their services and related financial issues. Mr. Ramon Alikpala, former Chairman of MWSS shared his experiences with the group and offered suggestions.

The group’s visits enabled it to understand the WASH regulatory environment in both countries. Given that Nepal is the first South Asian country to attempt full-scale WASH regulation, it was necessary for the group to obtain insights into good regulatory practices in Malaysia and the Philippines.

The visits were organized under the auspices of a project – Towards the Design of Effective Regulatory Arrangements for WASH in South Asia – funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. WaterLinks is assisting Nepal, Bangladesh, and India (Odisha) in establishing regulatory arrangements.

A similar delegation from Odisha is likely to visit Malaysia and the Philippines in May 2023.

Meeting with IWK headed by CEO Narendran Maniam. (Photo by: IWK, Malaysia)

Nepal Officials and WaterLinks with IWK Officials in Pantai 2 Regional Sewage Treatment Plant. (Photo by: IWK, Malaysia)

Meeting with National Water Service Commission (SPAN). (Photo by: SPAN, Malaysia)

Nepal Officials and WaterLinks with SPAN Officials.  (Photo by: SPAN, Malaysia)

Meeting with MWSS-RO. (Photo by: MWSS-RO, Manila)

Nepal Officials headed by Ministry of Water Supply Secretary Mani Ram Gelal (center right), BMGF Senior Adviser Neelima Thota (center left) and WaterLinks with MWSS-RO Chief Regulator Patrick Lester Ty (center) and its Deputy Administrators. (Photo by: MWSS-RO, Manila)

Meeting with Maynilad Water Services, Inc.

Nepal Officials, BMGF, and WaterLinks with Maynilad Officials. (Photo by: Maynilad)