Davide Inks Deal To Study Large-Scale Water Supply System

Governor Hilario P. Davide III inked an agreement with Cebu Bulk Water Supply Project concessionaire to study the development of a large-scale water supply system in Cebu.

Manila Water Philippine Ventures, Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Virgilio Rivera Jr. and Manila Water Company, Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Gerardo Ablaza signed the agreement in behalf of Manila Water.Vice Governor Agnes Magpale also inked the deal last April 18 at the Capitol.

“JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency), if I’m not mistaken, has commissioned a study where the water supply deficit could increase to as much as 500 million liters per day by 2020. We are here to work very close with local government units (LGU) to address that shortage,” Rivera said.

Magpale said it is a “welcome development” to support the tourism investments in the province, where water is a major concern aside from power.

She said they needed partners like Manila Water to help address water shortage in the province while water from waterfalls are just being spilled out to the sea.

She added that there are eight (8) waterfalls in the south that could be included in the feasibility study (FS).

Rivera said the FS would be completed before the end of July. It is at no cost to the province. He stated that Manila Water will tap the experts from the University of San Carlos to help them in the project.

With the constant occurrence of water crisis in the province, Rivera said there was now a mutual understanding to bring in water “in a big way.”

Manila Water, through a joint venture agreement with the provincial government, formed the Cebu Manila Water Development, Inc. (CMWD), which operates the biggest bulk water project in Cebu.The project, with water supplied from Luyang River, in the municipality of Carmen took 10 years to realize.

From 25 million liters per day (MLD) it previously supplied to Metro Cebu area, CMWD now supplies 30 MLD. In the coming days, it could reach to 35 MLD based on the request of the Metro Cebu Water District.

Gov. Davide thanked Manila Water for the continued “trust and confidence” in his administration.

With the recurring water shortage or even lack of water system in the mountain barangays, Gov. Davide said he will call on the LGUs to prioritize water in their agenda.

By Xerxes Alkuino

www.cebu.gov.ph