Aquino thanks China for funding water supply project

AMID tensions with China over the West Philippine Sea, President Benigno Aquino III thanked the People's Republic of China for funding and providing Chinese expertise in the construction and completion of a water supply project.

In his speech during the inauguration of the second phase of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System's (MWSS) Angat Water Utilization and Aqueduct Improvement Project (AWUAIP) at the La Mesa Dam Portal in Quezon City on Tuesday, the President said that by working together with other neighboring countries like China, projects like this can be achieved faster.

"Nagpapasalamat po tayo sa pondong ipinagkaloob ng bansang Tsina upang maisakatuparan ang mahalagang proyektong ito (We thank the government of China for providing funds for this project)," the President said.

The project aims to increase the number of households served with clean potable water and prevent the unabated loss of this valuable resource due to leaks.

The President said the Philippines joins the whole world in its quest to unite all nations in bringing all individuals, communities and nations the respect and dignity that they deserve.

The P5.2-billion AWUAIP was financed through the Preferential Buyer's Credit of China Export-Import Bank.

The project was finished eight months ahead of schedule as a result of efficient contract management by the MWSS and the improved construction methodology of the contractor, China International Water and Electric Company.

The President also said that MWSS project would enable every Filipino to have access to clean potable running water in the future.

He thanked Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, MWSS chairman Ramon Alikpala; and MWSS Administrator Gerardo A.I. Esquivel for being instrumental in implementing clear-cut and decisive reforms in the water sector.

The President said the trio had been keys to uplifting the MWSS from being mired in the P34-million debt in 2010 to earning a P330-million profit in 2011.

He said the agency was able to pay its obligation of P236 million to more than 1,000 MWSS retirees as well as a P150-million dividend to government coffers.

He assured the Filipino citizenry that the government remains committed to provide them the basic necessities, such as water, food and shelter.

Built at a cost of P1.3-billion, the AWUAIP Phase 2 involves the construction of a new 9.9-kilometer aqueduct (Aqueduct no. 6) and the rehabilitation of the deteriorated section of Aqueduct no. 5 that will allow the more efficient conveyance of raw water from Angat Dam to the La Mesa and Balara water treatment plants.

The AWUAIP, which consists of three development project phases, aims to recoup losses of 394 million liters of water a day due to leakages.

The first phase, which was completed on February 2006, involved the construction of a 5.5-kilometer by-pass of the deteriorated section of the existing Aqueduct No. 5.

The amount of P1.5-billion was invested for Phase 1 which was financed by the Philippine Government.

The second and third phases include the construction of the 9.9 km. section of Aqueduct no. 6, the rehabilitation of the Aqueduct No.5 and the construction of interconnection facilities. The total investment of P5.2-billion for the AWUAIP was financed thru the Preferential Buyer’s Credit of China Export-Import Bank.

Once completed, the AWUAIP will ensure the safety and integrity of raw water conveyance from Angat Dam to the La Mesa and Balara treatment plants, thus maintaining security of water supply for the MWSS service area covering 12 to 14 million people. (Jill Beltran/Sunnex)