A DAVAO City councilor underscored the need for additional water suppliers to support the city’s growing infrastructure projects.
Councilor Louie John Bonguyan, speaking during Aprubado sa Konseho on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at the Sangguniang Panlungsod, described Davao City as a “fast-developing” and “highly urbanized” city, with new condominiums, schools, and hospitals continuously being built.
“So paspas ang development ug dili na makaya sa atong underground water lang ang mu-supply sa tibuok siyudad sa Davao, so we opted into surface water like Tamugan (With rapid development, our underground water supply alone can no longer sustain the entire city. That’s why we have turned to surface water sources like the Tamugan River),” he said.
As chair of the Committee on Energy and Water and the Committee on Housing, Urban, and Rural Development, Bonguyan acknowledged the efficiency of the Davao City Bulk Water Supply (DCBWS) in providing water. However, he noted that allowing additional water suppliers would be a good investment for the city’s future.
He highlighted that with DCBWS, this is the first time Davao City has utilized surface water from the Tamugan River, having previously relied solely on underground water sources. Since its operation, residents of District 2 have enjoyed a more stable water supply.
Currently, DCBWS supplies around 70 to 80 percent of Davao’s daily water needs, producing up to 300 million liters per day. While this is sufficient for now, Bonguyan stressed that the city must prepare for increasing demand as urban development continues.
“We are still open for other players to supply water, kung naay players or musulod sila sa requirements and approved sila sa national agencies then welcome sila sa city (We are open to more water suppliers. If new players meet the requirements and receive approval from national agencies, they are welcome to operate in the city),” he said.
The Davao City Bulk Water Supply Development Project (DCBWDP) is a government initiative initially set for completion in 2021. APO Agua manages the country’s largest private bulk water supply facility, with a treatment capacity exceeding 300 million liters daily. RGP