SMC starts P24.4-B Bulacan water project

MANILA, Philippines — The P24.4-billion Bulacan Bulk Water Supply Project (BBWSP) of listed conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) officially starts commercial operations today, the first major water project under the Duterte administration.

The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) said the public-private partnership project (PPP) of SMC’s Luzon Clean Water Development Corp. and K-Water Resources Corp. starts operations among selected and ready water districts under the first stage.

While the Bulacan water project was started by the Aquino administration in 2012, it is the first major water project to be completed during Duterte’s term.

Duterte is set to formally inaugurate the BBWSP on Jan. 28.

SMC president Ramon Ang said the BBWSP is just one of the many projects that the conglomerate has in store under the Duterte administration.

“With our financial resources and technical capabilities, we promise to deliver several projects that support our fast economic growth,” he added.

The water project is aimed at providing residents from 24 localities in Bulacan ready access to potable water while balancing the competing needs of a growing population, industry, agriculture, and the environment in the province.

The BBWSP started its dry run operations last Dec. 17, initially giving free water to four areas of Obando, Meycauayan City, Marilao and Bocaue.

The formal start of operations also signals the beginning of the 25-year concession period which will last until 2044.

The BBWSP aims to address the water supply requirements of municipalities in the province of Bulacan, thereby reducing groundwater extraction and use of deep wells which are being discouraged due to adverse environmental impact.

The project intends to supply treated bulk water to water districts in Bulacan province through the construction, operation, and maintenance of facilities for abstraction, treatment, and conveyance of treated bulk water supply.

Since the construction of the Ipo Dam and Angat Dam, Bulacan has been the host of the backbone of Metro Manila’s water supply system.