PROJECT implementers of the Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project (DCBWSP) are targeting to start supplying water to its consumers before the end of 2021.
DCBWSP is a joint water project of Davao City Water District (DCWD) and Apo Agua Infrastructura Inc. that is expected to provide around 300 million liters of water to the consumers.
The project was supposed to be fully operated in the first quarter of 2021. But DCWD spokesperson Jovana Cresta Duhaylungsod admitted the imposed enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the city from April to May 15, 2020 derailed the construction of the bulk water project.
But when constructions were permitted during the easing of quarantine status, she said Apo Agua immediately resumed operations and implemented "catch-up" plans to meet its timeline.
"Ang ilahang timeline (Based on their timeline), they would be able to complete ang part nila sa proyekto (their part of the project) by end of December 2021, granting that all mitigating measures and catch-up plans are in place," the official said.
She added that Apo Agua is already planning to increase its manpower to expedite the bulk water project and start serving its consumers.
"They are targeting to hire around 4,500 personnel para lang mapaspasan ang pagpatrabaho (just to fast track the construction)," Duhaylungsod said.
The project, worth P12.6 billion, is a strategic infrastructure initiative that will shift the dependence of the city's main water supply from groundwater wells to the more sustainably-sourced surface water from Tamugan River.
Once operational, the DCBWSP will provide over 300 million liters of safe water per day to more than one million Dabawenyos.
Duhaylungsod said they are targeting to fast-track the project in order to start supplying areas with low or no running water supply and that have deteriorating water quality.
She added that the imposed quarantine restriction had caused a high water consumption resulting in some areas experiencing low water supply.
If ever the project will not meet its targeted operation, she said DCWD has reserved production wells as a mitigating measure that could cover the increase of water demand by 2022.
In general, however, the city has still enough water supply to meet the demand.
"While waiting, naa gyud ta (we have) immediate improvement plans na pwede nato magamit (that we can use) just in case wala pa ang bulk water (the construction of the bulk water is not yet done)," Duhaylungsod said.