MVP, mayor discuss water woes

BUSINESS tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan (MVP) and the Bagiuo City Government are in talks for the former?s entry into the water distribution business in the Summer Capital.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan on Wednesday confirmed?that Pangilinan, one of the country?s top business executive, consulted with local officials on how he can help fill in the needs for a better water supply system in the city.

Pangilinan, who had a brief get-together with local media last week, also expressed interest in water supply and power distribution in the city, saying he will send a technical team to evaluate possible investments in these sectors.

The tycoon, who holds major stake in power and water distribution, telecommunication, mining and media among other business interests, said tapping into underground resources is unsafe and environmentally unfriendly citing possible contamination of underground water sources.

He said a bulk water supply is a more viable option Baguio must pursue to address water woes in a city which has grown rapidly through the years.

Domogan said he informed Baguio City Water District (BWD) general manager Salvador Royeca of MVP?s interest in sending his technical team to help address the city?s water needs.

The mayor said the city?s water supply remains inadequate with the BWD admitting in their latest reports that continued water rationing and scheduling are still expected to serve elevated areas. He added there are still some barangays without the services of the BWD.

Domogan said the city needs some 60,000 cubic meters of water daily while the BWD is only able to distribute some 40,000 cubic meters daily notwithstanding systems loss.

?I hope this doesn?t get politicized because if you can remember in the previous years there was this bulk water supply unfortunately it did not pursue due to politics siguro kung hindi napasukan ng pulitika natapos na ang project,? the mayor said.

He added that water bills will "of course increase" but the most important thing is that every time "you open your faucet, there?s water that will come out."
He said the growing city?s demand for water will increase in the next few years which is why the local government is also tapping into water sources like rain harvesting to help the BWD.

Domogan hopes the city will be able to construct its own rain water harvesting facility with the help of the Department of Public Works and Highways at the Baguio Convention Center.

He further warned continued tapping into underground water sources could also affect land stability in the city.

Published in the Sun.Star Baguio newspaper on July 06, 2013.

Source: http://rss.sunstar.com.ph/~r/SunStarBaguio/~3/Y-wk6AJvFno/mvp-mayor-discuss-water-woes-291032

amber rose nba trade deadline diane lane drew peterson Argo bonnaroo robin roberts