Thursday, December 06, 2007 Talk back: Mananga dam plan By Armando H. Paredes General Manager, MCWD
PLEASE allow us to clarify some points raised in the paid advertisement that came out in Sun.Star Cebu on Nov. 28, 2007 titled, “Project: Mananga Dam” by one Ben Ebrada.
While we appreciate his concerns on the shortage of water in Metro Cebu, there are some points that have to be straightened out and clarified.
It is true that Bechtel International, Inc. conducted a feasibility study on the Mananga Phase 2 Project, which involves, among others, the building of a dam in Camp IV, Talisay.
It is also true that the dam would have addressed the worsening water supply problem in Metro Cebu.
The Bechtel study was initiated to determine the expected bulk water tariff that will be charged by a private sector investor if the Mananga dam project will be implemented under a BOT arrangement.
The study concluded that the expected bulk water tariff, given the estimated project cost and daily yield, will be from P50 to P60 per cu. m. of treated water.
This is ex-treatment plant and excludes yet the distribution costs of MCWD.
In view of the unaffordable high projected tariff, MCWD is looking for an alternative scheme to tap the remaining water potential of Mananga river that will result in a more affordable water rate.
MCWD does not want to overburden its consumers by paying a very high rate.
