Bataan technopark firm putting up P500-M water treatment facility

MANILA, Philippines - A new locator in Bataan Technology Park is investing about P500 million for a water treatment facility that will address the scarcity of potable water in Morong, Bataan, state-owned Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said.

BCDA said Morong Power and Water Corp. (MPWC) on Thursday signed an agreement with the state-run agency to lease a 4,500-square meter lot in Bataan Technology Park.

BCDA president and chief executive officer Arnel Paciano Casanova said MPWC is expected to spend P495 million for the water treatment facility which is slated for completion in the second quarter of 2018.

The treatment plant, once completed, will supply potable water to the town of Morong, the Bataan Technology Park and the Subic Water Sewerage System, Casanova said.   

Casanova said there are no water treatment and storage facilities that currently service Morong.

He said the primary source of water in the area comes from deep wells while others tap water from springs, rivers and from individual rain catchments.

“The availability of affordable potable water for everyone will not only provide safe drinking water but will serve as the catalyst to jumpstart micro, small and medium businesses and generate income for the people. Simple as it may be, it’s a game changer in all fronts be it social, economic and political, to improve the lives of the people,” Casanova said.

For the operation of the water utility with the Morong Special Economic Zone,  MPWC will pay BCDA a fixed amount and variable rate of two percent of gross revenues realized from its operations.

The term of the lease is 50 years, renewable for another 25 years upon mutual agreement of BCDA and MPWC.

The Bataan Technology Park is the main zone of the Morong Special Economic Zone. It is a 365-hectare economic zone which used to be the former Philippine Refugee and Processing Center.