THE Zamboanga City Water District (ZCWD) has started the pipe laying project of a water system in the village of Vitali, an official of the utility firm said.

ZCWD general manager Rey Leonardo Vasquez said the pipe laying of the Vitali water system started Monday following the blessing and groundbreaking of the project which would cost P23,965,730.

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Of the total amount, Vasquez said P16,165,730 came from the ZCWD while the City Government contributed P5.3 million and P2.5 million by second district Representative Erico Basilio Fabian.

Vasquez said the ZCWD's allocation is for the well construction, civil works, supply of electro-mechanical equipment, standby generator set, compact filtration and the laying of pipes.

He said the P5.3 million contribution of the local government is for the supply and laying of 2,496 linear meters of 150-milimeter diameter pipeline and the supply and laying of 5,544 linear meters 100-milimeter diameter pipeline.

Fabian's contribution is for the other needed materials for the completion of the water system project.

The Vitali water system project is expected to be completed in 69 days, according to Vasquez.

Vitali is located 73 kilometers east of Zamboanga City and has a land area of 5,409 hectares. It has a population of 10,500 as of 2007.

Vitali's population is fast increasing since more people migrate to the place for business opportunities like buy and sell of rice, fishpond products and other agricultural products. (Bong Garcia)