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Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Look beyond Carmen, CIPC exec tells MCWD
The Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) should not be picky about selecting bulk water suppliers.
This was pointed out by Cebu Investment Promotions Center (CIPC) managing director Joel Mari Yu.
He said aside from insufficient power reserves, Cebu also faces the perpetual problem of water shortage, which must be addressed to maintain the province’s attractiveness to local and foreign investors.
Yu is urging MCWD to consider proposals of other bulk water suppliers other than that of the Ayala-led consortium, to immediately fill the demand for water and dispel speculations that Cebu can no longer supply water to future investors.
Silly
“It’s silly for MCWD to be selective in accepting bulk water suppliers now that we desperately need water,” Yu said.
“There has to be an interim solution to the current water shortage in Cebu. The Ayala-led project will take time before water can flow. It is not even a done-deal yet. No water will flow in Cebu until 2010, there has to be an immediate solution,” he added.
The consortium of Ayala Corp. and Stateland is proposing to sell about 50,000 cubic meters of water a day to MCWD from Luyang-Cantumog River in the northern town of Carmen. The consortium expects the water project to be completed by 2009.
Others
Aside from the Ayala-Stateland consortium, there are other smaller companies, such as Foremost Water and Mactan Rock Industries Inc. (MRII), which have submitted proposals to MCWD.
In an earlier report, MCWD general manager Armando Paredes said the water district may consider accepting other proposals after the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) approves the P2-billion Ayala-Stateland project.
In a separate interview, MRII president and chief executive officer Antonio Tompar said the company can immediately supply 45,000 cubic meters a day, as soon as MCWD approves the firm’s proposal without additional cost on the company.
Technology
“We already have installed technology that maximizes the surface water of rivers in Barangays Bulacao, Bonbon, Pul-angbato, Jaclupan and Kotkot,” he said.
MRII is proposing a rate of P18.00 per cubic meter of water.
Metro Cebu’s current water demand is estimated to be at 250,000 cubic meters to 300,000 cubic meters a day.
MCWD is supplying only 50 percent of the demand; private deep well operators fill the gap. (JBN)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (June 7, 2006 issue)
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