DAVAO CITY — It’s all systems go for the PHP12 billion Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project (DCBWSP) following the approval of the site’s conversion from agricultural to industrial by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).
Cirilo Almario III, general manager of Apo Agua Infrastructure, Inc., on Tuesday said it was the most difficult requirement to secure — the conversion of the 6.8-hectare area in Barangay Gumalang where the treatment plant will be built. The target date of operations is on the first half of 2021.
Of the PHP12 billion, Almario said PHP10 billion will be shelled out by Apo Agua and PHP2 billion by the Davao City Water District (DCWD).
He said the pre-construction works on the design, site investigation, and survey alignment have already started to ensure the correct alignment of pipes.
“The development on the ground has started,” he said, adding actual construction will start by the first quarter next year along the Davao-Bukidnon highway.
Almario said the road right of way lease agreement with private landowners is 92 percent complete. There are about 170 contracts for a lease agreement for the use of some four-meter area of the lessors’ land for a period of 30 years.
Lawyer Bernie Delima, DCWD spokesperson, said the water utility is responsible for the reservoir and distribution lines.
Delima said at least 18 projects have been completed out of 30 programs lined up under a PHP2-billion budget.
“All 30 projects will be completed by 2020 which is ahead of the target completion of the bulk water project,” Delima said. (Digna D. Banzon/PNA)
