CIVIL group Consumer Alert (CA) urged the City Council Thursday to hasten probe on Hedcor and Davao City Water District (DCWD) projects in Tamugan River.

Dr. Ruben Robillo, CA spokesperson, said his group is "already on deck for committee hearing," however, they're disappointed no action has been made on their petition filed last October to the City Council.

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"We are bothered that the committee hearings are up to how unscheduled. We would like to believe that Councilors Avila and Braga are considering the urgency of the investigations they should carry out," Robillo said.

The CA submitted a letter to the City Council protesting Hedcor's proposed hydropower plant and DCWD’s surface water development projects in Tamugan River.

City Council committees on environment and natural resources, and energy, transportation and communication chaired by Councilors Leonardo Avila and Pilar Braga, respectively, were commissioned to conduct public hearings.

Robillo said the CA maintains its call to reject any of the project proposed by Hedcor and DCWD.

“There is no urgency for DCWDs surface water development program as there is no water crisis. More so that Hedcor’s hydropower plant project in Tamugan River is unnecessary knowing there is enough power supply for the city’s consumption"” Robillo said.

"Consumer Alert believes that Tamugan River should remain preserved for greater purpose of supplying clean and affordable water for the people," Robillo said.

However, there are opposing views to these.

Jesuit priest Fr. Daniel McNamara, a doctorate in astro-geophysics and physics program coordinator of Ateneo de Davao University, on November 21 said he supports DCWD’s proposal to tap the surface water of the Tamugan River.

"There is an argument whether the Tamugan River should be used for power or for water supply. I agree with the water district," said McNamara in his forum discussing the effects of global warming in the country and in the city.

"DCWD's sources of water now are from deep wells. If we keep using the ground water we’ll deplete them. And these wells are also in danger because of sea water level rise. Therefore there’s a greater pressure against the beach and it’s gonna try to seep in and occupy the vacuum left by the emptying deep wells. If that happens, the seawater will contaminate our fresh water. That’s what happened to Cebu's water, it's terrible. So I agree with the water district," McNamara said.

Davao Light and Power Company executive vice president Bobby Orig on November 23 said the city is currently experiencing the preliminary stages of a power crisis.

"We're experiencing brownouts because we do no longer have enough power supply. By 2010 we’ll have 84 megawatts shortage, by 2011 a shortage of 174 watts. By 2014 there will be a 484 megawatts shortage which is equivalent to the demand power needed in five major cities in Mindanao, namely: Cagayan de Oro, Davao City, Zamboanga, General Santos, and Butuan," Bobby said at Kapehan sa SM media forum.

Meanwhile, in the City Council session agenda two items relating to Hedcor are set for discussion under second reading for next week’s session, December 1, Councilor Braga said through text.

Braga clarified Saturday that the two items supposedly set for this Tuesday’s session was moved for next week’s session as there was time constraint.

Braga's committee will present on Tuesday two items:

Item 984-B: Resolution 0731-08, series of 2008 of the City Council, this city, entitled “Inviting the representatives of Hedcor Inc. to appear during the regular session on April 8, 2008, concerning the development of the hydro-electric power projects at Panigan, Tamugan and Suawan rivers.”

Item 1126: Letter of Mr. Rene B. Ronquillo, president and COO of Hedcor Tamugan Inc., seeking endorsement from the City Council on their proposed hydropower projects in Tamugan, Panigann and Suawan, this city. (JCZ)