The P24.4-billion Bulacan Bulk Water Supply Project (BBWSP) for Bulacan will be formally launched by President Duterte on January 28 this year.
The BBWSP aims to provide ready access to fresh, potable surface water to residents in 24 localities in Bulacan and help them meet the current water demand. It will also reduce the usage of deep wells to mitigate the adverse environmental impact of excessive groundwater extraction.
Luzon Clean Water Development Corp. — a consortium of San Miguel Corp. (80 percent) and Korea Water Resources Corp. (20 percent) – sealed the 25-year concession agreement to provide water to consumers at the rate of P8.50 per cubic meter. The project’s construction started in 2012.
Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) Administrator Reynaldo Velasco commended the companies for the “speedy completion” of the project completion. This development depicts the “good working relations between MWSS and Luzon Clean Water that will surely benefit the people of Bulacan,” he said.
SMC President and Chief Executive Officer Ramon Ang said the BBWSP is one of the many projects the listed conglomerate has in store. With its financial resources and technical capabilities, Ang said their SMC promises “to deliver several projects that support our fast economic growth”, such as the new international airport to be developed in the province.
Stage 1 of the project covers San Jose del Monte, Marilao, Meycauayan, Bocaue, Obando and Balagtas) while stage 2 has Guiguinto, Calumpit, Bulakan, Plaridel, Sta. Maria, Paombong and Malolos. Stage 3 will serve Baliuag, Plaridel, Pandi, Hagonoy, San Rafael, San Miguel, Norzagaray, Angat, Dona Remedios Trinidad, San Ildefonso, and Bustos.
Commercial operations among selected and ready water districts under Stage 1 started on January 14. Dry run operations were held on Dec. 17, 2018, to initially provide free water to Obando, Meycauayan City, Marilao and Bocaue.
The BBWSP is the first major project under the Duterte administration’s public-private partnership (PPP) scheme. It is one of the agency’s two water projects under the program. The other projects is the P18.72-billion New Centennial Water Source-Kaliwa Dam Project which aimes to meet the increasing water demand in Metro Manila.
BY JORDEENE B. LAGARE
