OVER 300,000 households in Cebu City will get an additional water supply if the Filinvest Group’s proposal to construct desalination and treatment plants is approved by the City Government.
The Gotianun-led conglomerate has recently proposed to the City to increase the city’s water supply through desalination, utilizing the seawater off the city. Its officials paid Mayor Michael Rama a courtesy visit to discuss sustainable solutions to the city’s water supply.
According to Filinvest Group, Rama told its officials that he supports their intent, as part of the city’s vision to achieve a “Singapore-like Cebu City.”
“This partnership will bring affordable and sustainable solutions to our current water shortage, and I believe it will contribute to the development and progress of our city,” Rama was quoted as saying in the company press release.
“With Filinvest’s expertise, we can address our water supply challenges, and most importantly, provide affordable water for all Cebuanos,” he added.
SunStar Cebu reached out to Rama on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, to get further details about the proposal, but he declined to comment. City Administrator Collin Rosell was separately asked about it, but he said he had no knowledge about it.
Assurance
Johnny Roxas, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Filinvest Hitachi Omni Waterworks (Flow), assured Rama that Flow has the experience and expertise in desalination technology.
He told the mayor that their firm’s water desalination and treatment plants in Lapu-Lapu City have been in operation for over five years.
“We are committed to support the development and progress of Cebu City by addressing its water supply challenges,” Roxas said in a press statement released to the media on Wednesday.
Flow is a joint venture between Filinvest Development Corp. (FDC) and Singapore-based Hitachi Aqua-Tech Engineering that aims to provide desalination, recycled water, and sewage treatment facilities across the Philippines.
Backed by Hitachi Aqua-Tech’s expertise, Roxas said Filinvest is positioned “to provide long-term solutions to the water requirements of Cebu, possibly closing the gap on supply deficiency.”
FDC Water Utilities Inc., a wholly owned unit of FDC power and utilities arm FDC Utilities Inc., will operate the plants if the proposal is approved.
Tristan Las Marias, president and CEO of Filinvest Land Inc., joined Flow executives when they visited Rama.
“The Filinvest Group remains dedicated to enabling the dreams of the Cebuanos and further strengthening our presence in the city,” he said. “With the operation of these new water desalination and treatment plants, we aim to provide clean and sustainable water to the people of Cebu.” (with AML)