SMC, which submitted an unsolicited proposal to put up the project at the start of the year, has yet to decide on whether it will push through with its commitment.
Should SMC back out, the MWSS chief said that one option the agency is looking into is to resort to borrowings.
"We have no other option but to consider doing it on our own through a government loan," Allado said.
The MWSS, however, would have to seek an additional budget from Congress to increase its borrowing capacity.
"Our borrowing capacity is already depleted to a little less than P5 billion," Allado said.
Various groups, including MWSS's concessionaires, balked at the SMC proposal because of its potential impact on water rates.
Critics alleged that SMC's proposal contained a take-or-pay arrangement that would have consumers shoulder the cost of water from the dam whether or not they actually use the supply.
Since then, the water agency has not heard from SMC, Allado said.
"The last I have was what we all read from the newspapers that they are rethinking the proposal. [There was no] formal communication of either pushing through or withdrawing," he said.
To see more of The Manila Times, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.manilatimes.net. Copyright (c) 2009, The Manila Times, Philippines Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.

More News:
Market Updates |
Stock Alerts |
All Trading News |
Stock Index