Capitol, group sign MOU for Carmen water source

Cebu - The Cebu provincial government is now a step closer to its objective to service the water needs of its constituents.

Yesterday, the Capitol signed a memorandum of understanding with the Northern Waterworks and Rivers of Cebu, Inc. for the extraction of water from Luyang River in Carmen town.

The project, as proposed by NWRC, refers to the design and implementation of a bulk water supply project to exclusively service the water requirements of the province and certain local government units under it.

Under the MOU, the NWRC shall commit the water source from the Luyang River in Carmen, pursuant to the water permit, shall be for the exclusive use of the province or its assignees.

Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, who signed the memorandum in behalf of the Capitol, said that the move is a “bright message of hope amid all the gloomy predictions of a world coming to an economic end.”

“Right at the heart of this region, we will be the heart that will breathe new life and hope and faith in a future that we can claim as Cebuanos should be and must be bright and prosperous for all,” she added.

Garcia intends to manage water resource projects and supply water to the LGUs under it to be distributed to their constituents.

Present during the signing were NWRC chairman and president Antonino Aquino, National Water Resources Board executive director Ramon Alikpala, Business Areas of Manila Water Co., Inc., group director Rene Almendras, Viscal Development Corp. managing director Frank Gaisano and Manila Water. Co. Inc. business development manager Vilma Annabelle Deray.

The local officials of Carmen town led by mayor Sonia Pua and some of her councilors together with Fifth District Board Member Agnes Magpale were also there to witness the event.

Gaisano, who leads the company that will be one of the project’s developers, said all municipalities will benefit from the project.

On the other hand, Alikpala said that it is important to share water and how important it is economically.

Pua extended her trust and confidence to Garcia with regards to the project and gave an assurance that they will cooperate with the province.

Magpale added that the project is an answered prayer, a vision that she thought would never be possible. — Johanna Natavio/WAB (THE FREEMAN)