Bohol Chronicle: At least three companies have already expressed interest in supplying potable water to Panglao island by tapping the major rivers in consonance with the Integrated Water Resources System Master Plan of the province.
The local government units of Panglao and Dauis are awaiting the formal project proposals of the companies.
Palafox Associates has seen the vulnerability of Panglao island's groundwater to contamination "due to seepage of sewage and saltwater intrusion".
"We have in place the Bohol Water Utilities Inc. (BWUI) which is tapping the underground water of Corella and Cortes," according to Governor Erico Aumentado.
The second company is the Maynilad Water Services, Inc. of Manny Pangilinan who leads the consortium of DMCI Holdings, Inc. (DMCI) and Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC).
Maynilad still has to submit a feasibility study on tapping Loboc River as the company intends to supply the domestic water requirements of Tagbilaran City, Panglao Island and other towns.
The company has been serving as water and wastewater services provider for West Zone of the greater Metro Manila area comprising 17 cities and municipalities- -Caloocan, Las Piñas, Malabon, Manila, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Pasay, Parañaque, Valenzuela, parts of Quezon City, a part of Makati, Cavite City, and the municipalities of Rosario, Imus, Noveleta, Bacoor, and Kawit in Cavite.
The third taker is the Sta. Clara International which will tap the Upper Abatan River to supply water for Metro Tagbilaran and Panglao Island.
Sta. Clara proposed to have it under a free market competition with other water providers.
The proposed water supply services could be a complement of proposal of Sta. Clara Power Corp. "to invest in the Cantakoy Falls for a hydropower plant in Danao, and the Sinakayanan River, a tributary of the Upper Abatan River in San Isidro and Catigbian towns", as earlier announced by the governor.
Sta. Clara's possible partners would be Boheco, DBP and interested local government units like the Province of Bohol, and the towns of Danao and Inabanga.
"The feasibility study of the Cantakoy hydroelectric plant, funded by the Spanish government, is now the basis for the group of Engr. Asisclo Gonzaga, former NPC and TRANSCO president, to work on the 7.2 megawatts power plant in Danao whose caves near the falls were part of the headquarters of Francisco Dagohoy's 85-year rebellion against Spain. The area is now part of the Eco/Extreme Adventure Park of the town," according to Aumentado.
Under the banner of environmental economics, the provincial government pushes for the integrated approach of its water resources.
In fact, Bohol already has an Integrated Water Resources System Master Plan funded by AusAID and an eleven-year (2009-2020) IWRM Strategic Plan by the Provincial Development Council launched in 2009.
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Topic: Panglao Island Water Supply Update (Read 1958 times)