MANILA - With the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation now under new management, former MPTC President and CEO Rogelio Singson said on Monday that he is being eyed to move to the MVP group’s water business.

But he noted that it is too early to tell which company or project he will be assigned to and in what capacity he will serve as.

Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC)’s interests in the water sector include Metro Pacific Water and Maynilad.

“I was told MVP (Manuel V. Pangilinan) wants me to go to the MPIC group, head office. My understanding is the water sector. Water sector in MPIC kasi maraming investments ang MPIC sa tubig e,” said Singson at the sidelines of the Management Association of the Philippines’ General Membership Meeting in Taguig, where he was awarded Management Person of the Year.

Arrey Perez, who used to serve as president and chief operating officer of the Clark International Airport Corporation, was recently appointed as MPTC President while MVP himself will act as interim CEO.

RIGHT-OF-WAY ISSUES

Singson also acknowledged that one of the biggest hurdles to the government’s infrastructure push— be it water-related or transportation, is right-of-way.

To overcome this, the former secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways believes that there should be dedicated team handling right-of-way negotiations in every agency handling infrastructure projects.

“The funds are there, no doubt. May right-of-way funds. But for them to be able to use that, dapat kumpleto 'yung documentation para ma-obligate. To obligate, you need a payee. Eh kung hindi pa nabubuo 'yung documentation kung sino 'yung babayaran at magkano, paano mo gagamitin 'yung pondo?” he said.

“You have to go to court so you need lawyers. May naka-assign bang full time lawyer? Eh kung sino lang ang available lawyer dyan, walang mangyayari,” added Singson.

He also stressed the importance of the cooperation of local government units.

“Pag yung LGU tumututol dyan, walang mangyayari so the LGU has to accept the project,” he said.