Province to prioritize water in next 3 years

CEBU, Philippines - The shortage of water in Metro Cebu and other areas in the province will be given top priority by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia in the next three years, Capitol spokesman Rory Jon Sepulveda said yesterday.

Sepulveda said improvement of the water system and the construction of school buildings are two of the projects Garcia reportedly wants to prioritize after the province implements its road asphalting and concreting projects.

Sepulveda said Garcia is concerned that operations of big companies operating inside the Mactan Export Processing Zone and other areas in Metro Cebu would be affected because of lack of water.

Sepulveda said they have already identified areas in the province that have abundant supply of water and what the province intends to do now is find ways to tap these sources and supply the water to distributors in Cebu.

At present, majority of areas in Metro Cebu rely on water being distributed by the Metro Cebu Water District.

The province has reportedly set aside P200 million for its water projects. The budget is reportedly part of the Annual Investment Program for 2010.

Sepulveda said Garcia has already engaged in initial discussions with big companies in Manila who have reportedly expressed intention to invest in water business development here.

If the Cebu Bulk Water Supply Project proposal for a joint venture investment pushes through, the same would be a pilot program under Garcia’s administration.

Capitol is eyeing at Carmen, Danao City, Tuburan, Badian and Barili as ideal sources of water for the water development project. – THE FREEMAN