Hydro facility opens in Lusaran, Cebu City

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu’s water supply problem is expected to lessen, following the full operation of the JE Hydro and Bio-Energy Corporation’s Lusaran water treatment facility at Sitio Proper, Lusaran, Cebu City.

Metropolitan Cebu Water District’s (MCWD) private contractor, JE Hydro and Bio-Energy Corporation, said they are able to complete the 20 million liter per day (MLD) facility in 150 days, amidst some obstacles along the way.

JE Hydro’s CEO Engr. Joffrey Hapitan said they are thankful that the city government, along with the barangay officials, was supportive enough and did not give them a hard time in securing the necessary permits.

MCWD Chairman Joey Daluz explained yesterday that there are three components on this project with the water treatment facility in Lusaran already fully operational.

He said that from an initial 15 MLD to be delivered, MCWD has approved for an additional 15 MLD from JE Hydro and could go up to 35 MLD which JE Hydro has agreed to.

Mountain barangays in the North District extending to the Capitol area are expected to benefit from this.

The bulk water supply agreement between JE Hydro and MCWD is up to 15 years at a fixed amount of P62, instead of P65 per cubic meter.

Although the price is a bit high, Daluz said that JE Hydro completely funded the project, including the piping.

Daluz said they are just so thankful that this project has materialized, unlike the Mananga dam which had been on the table for three decades now.

This is the first of its kind in Cebu, featuring the proven and tested all-Filipino design and home-grown technology of JE Hydro and Bio-energy Corporation.

“Thank you JE and to the Cebuanos, water is here!” Daluz said.

The private contractor takes pride in its holistic approach to the design and build of the facility, producing fresh drinking water that meets the specifications of the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water.

The Lusaran WTF costs P1.2 billion and was principally funded by the Land Bank of the Philippines, according to a report from Philippine Star.

It includes a 20-MLD impounding lagoon and a water treatment facility that can treat highly turbid water up to 6,000 NTU with a 100 percent water recovery system.

The project also has hybrid and non-conventional energy sources, including an integrated renewable energy facility consisting of floating solar panels with battery energy storage system and run-of-the-river micro-hydroelectric power system, and pipe laying work of a 30-kilometer pipeline.

Prior to the celebration yesterday, MCWD’s Customer Care Division and its Treasury Division visited the facility as part of their educational tours conducted with the goal of equipping MCWD's customer service officers, call center agents, and tellers with sufficient understanding on bulk water supply and water distribution.

Having an in-depth knowledge on these aspects in water supply business is expected to enhance their competence in performing their daily functions.

Meanwhile, JE Hydro had also committed itself to help solve the water crisis in Pit-os after successfully delivering potable water to Busay residents earlier.

Traversing the mountains of Barangay Lusaran, JE Hydro’s potable water will travel through an additional 3.8 kilometers pipeline that will soon reach Barangay Pit-os before Christmas

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. congratulated the PPP between JE Hydro and Bio-Energy Corporation and MCWD through a video message.

“I congratulate you for the recent completion of this project and the upcoming development of the Lusaran bulk water project …Indeed your successful private public partnership will now provide safe and reliable water supply for our people's homes, communities and industries,” Marcos Jr. said. — GAN (FREEMAN)