Davao water utility to proceed with project
07/01/2008 | 02:41 AM
DAVAO CITY, Philippines - The Davao City Water District (DCWD) will proceed with its P1.3-billion pipe-laying project in Tamugan River and will oppose a plan of an Aboitiz unit to build a power plant there.
Rodora N. Gamboa, general manager of the water utility, said the water project would address the needs of some 30,000 families who have no access to clean water.
The government-owned utility has objected to a plan by Aboitiz unit Hedcor, Inc. to build a P6-billion, 34.5-megawatt hydroelectric plant at the river, one of four plants it is seeking to build in the region.
Since its creation in 1973, the DCWD has been the biggest water district in the Philippines, now having more than 140,000 service connections.
Hedcor officials have said the project is environment-friendly and would avert a power crisis set to hit the Davao Region within the next two years.
Hedcor President Rene B. Ronquillo said it would be better for the DCWD to tap into the hydroelectric plant pipeline since the quality of the water would be better.
But Ms. Gamboa said the utility would not surrender its authority over the area, noting that under the Provincial Water Utilities Act of 1973, in case of a dispute, priority is always given to water over power.
The DCWD obtained the permit for the project in 1997, while the Aboitiz unit is still applying for a permit.
"Unless they shoulder our operational expenses, as well as the additional expenses that we will incur in building the project, there is no agreement in sight," she pointed out.
She added that allowing Hedcor to set up a hydroelectric plant in the area would defeat its goal of cutting its electricity costs since the water plant would be run by gravitational force.
At present, the water utility spends about P211 million annually for power.
That could balloon to P314 million in the next five years due mainly to new connections and based on present power rates.
Ms. Gamboa said the project, estimated to generate 200,000 metric tons of water a day, would not require power since the river will go to a treatment plant through gravitational force.
But if Hedcor is allowed to build its hydroelectric power plant, the water will have to be diverted, forcing the DCWD to spend more for its project, she added.
She also said the project would tap surface water. At present, the utility is tapping 99% ground water for its service areas. — Carmelito Q. Francisco, BusinessWorld
Rodora N. Gamboa, general manager of the water utility, said the water project would address the needs of some 30,000 families who have no access to clean water.
The government-owned utility has objected to a plan by Aboitiz unit Hedcor, Inc. to build a P6-billion, 34.5-megawatt hydroelectric plant at the river, one of four plants it is seeking to build in the region.
Since its creation in 1973, the DCWD has been the biggest water district in the Philippines, now having more than 140,000 service connections.
Hedcor officials have said the project is environment-friendly and would avert a power crisis set to hit the Davao Region within the next two years.
Hedcor President Rene B. Ronquillo said it would be better for the DCWD to tap into the hydroelectric plant pipeline since the quality of the water would be better.
But Ms. Gamboa said the utility would not surrender its authority over the area, noting that under the Provincial Water Utilities Act of 1973, in case of a dispute, priority is always given to water over power.
The DCWD obtained the permit for the project in 1997, while the Aboitiz unit is still applying for a permit.
"Unless they shoulder our operational expenses, as well as the additional expenses that we will incur in building the project, there is no agreement in sight," she pointed out.
She added that allowing Hedcor to set up a hydroelectric plant in the area would defeat its goal of cutting its electricity costs since the water plant would be run by gravitational force.
At present, the water utility spends about P211 million annually for power.
That could balloon to P314 million in the next five years due mainly to new connections and based on present power rates.
Ms. Gamboa said the project, estimated to generate 200,000 metric tons of water a day, would not require power since the river will go to a treatment plant through gravitational force.
But if Hedcor is allowed to build its hydroelectric power plant, the water will have to be diverted, forcing the DCWD to spend more for its project, she added.
She also said the project would tap surface water. At present, the utility is tapping 99% ground water for its service areas. — Carmelito Q. Francisco, BusinessWorld
