Firm to initially invest P1B for water project

GUIUAN, Eastern Samar - Macro Asia Properties Development Corporation, a part of Lucio Tan’s group of companies, is now doing the initial ground works for a water project to serve Eastern Samar towns, with an initial budget of P1 billion.

Benedict Seo, consultant of Macro Asia, told members of the media in a brief press conference that the company will engage in a bulk water supply to complement the water requirement of the existing water districts in the province, such as the Guiuan Water District (GWD).

Seo said their company will utilize the river and spring waters available in the towns of Eastern Samar, process it and then supply the processed water to water district, with the water district distributing the water to its concessionaires.

A water supply that is reliable at all times is necessary to attract tourists, businessmen, and industries to come in and do business, said Seo.

Rodel Joven, Chairman of the Board-Guiuan Water District, welcomes this upcoming project, saying this will actually hit two birds with one stone.

He said that along with the bulky water supply is the development of a Hydro Power Plant, which will also serve as an alternative to the not-so- stable power supply of the Eastern Samar Electric Cooperative (Esamelco).

A bigger project, which is a Desalination Plant, is also being considered now by Macro Asia, which means that using very sophisticated machines, salty waters from the sea will be converted into distilled water, Joven added.

Rolando D. Abrenica, manager of Guiuan Water District, said the entry of Macro Asia into the water industry in Eastern Samar is very timely, because the water district is experiencing scarcity of water to supply to its growing consumers in Guiuan and Mercedes towns alone.

Once the bulk water supply of Macro Asia is established, Guiuan Water District could already expand its services to other towns, Abrenica added.

Meanwhile, Mayor Annaliz Kwan expressed gladness as investors continue to come to Guiuan saying that this is a clear indication that the town is drawing an improved economy as it now attracts multimillion companies to do business not only in Guiuan but for the whole province.

This is a very welcome move of Macro Asia, Kwan said. (Leyte Samar Daily Express)