The Davao City bulk water supply project is set to begin its site development by the end of the year.
Cirilio C. Almario III, General Manager of the Apo Agua Infrastractura, Inc., on Tuesday said that the company is finalizing the lease agreements with landowners whose lots will be traversed by pipelines—the final phase of permitting.
Apo Agua had completed the acquisition of necessary permits for the development of its 6.8 hectare water treatment plant site at Brgy. Gumalang in Baguio District back in July.
“Even though we were not able to acquire it earlier this year, we had already started our pre-construction work with the design, site investigation, survey, alignments and all other preparations,” Almario said.
He also added that water quality monitoring and jar testing in the Tamugan River were also conducted, along with the construction of access roads and temporary facilities.
DCBWSP is a project in partnership with the Davao City Water District (DCWD), which allows the shift of Davao City’s main water supply source from ground water to surface water.
The project is set to end the water problems with the completion of the P12-billion bulk water supply project to be done by both the Apo Agua and DCWD.
This was also mentioned during the recent State of the City Address by Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.
Among that was assured to the city government is the prioritized employment will be given to the residents from the main impact barangays of the project and this will be a great opportunity to the residents therein.
As of October 7, Apo Agua’s engineering, procurement and construction contractor, J.V. Angeles Construction Corporation (JVACC), will employ around 1,000 skilled workers and laborers as the construction progresses.
Barangays who will be prioritized will be given to the residents from the main impact barangays: Gumalang, Wines, Tawantawan, Tambobong and Tamuga; and from the low impact barangays: Riverside, Talomo River, Calinan Proper, Lacson, Biao Joaquin, New Valencia, Talandang, Tugbok Proper, Los Amigos, Biao Guianga, Tigatto, Mandug, Acacia, Buhangin Proper, Indangan and Cabantian.
First component of the project is the water diversion and treatment by Apo Agua worth P10 billion, a
construction of raw water facilities, 2.4 megawatt hydroelectric power plant, water treatment plant, treated water pipelines, and facilities for various off-take points in the city.
The second component mainly to be done by the DCWD will be the construction of primary transmission/distribution pipe mains and storage facilities in various portions in Davao City and distribution of treated water to residential, government, commercial, industrial and bulk water end-users.
Another plan is to make the site open to the public, wherein a structure facility will be built for visitors to observe on the whole treatment process.
“We really wanted it to be a showcase facility, wherein it will be arranged for the people to be informed about the process,” Almario said.
He also said that Apo Agua plans to invite President Rodrigo Duterte on its ground breaking ceremony, who strongly supported the said project back when he was still a city mayor.
