Mla Water, Maynilad undertake P717-M new water source proj

MANILA, Philippines - Metro Manila water concessionaires have partnered for the construction of a water diversion tunnel that would augment the inflow of water to the Angat Dam.

Manila Water and Maynilad Water Services Inc. together with Cavite Ideal International Construction and Development Corp. are building the P717 million Sumag River Diversion Project that would increase the inflow of water to the Angat Dam by 188 million liters per day (MLD).

The dam is a primary source of water for Metro Manila.

The concessionaires contracted Cavite Ideal International Construction and Development Corporation to build the diversion.

The cost of the project would be shared by the water firms.

The Sumag River Diversion Project involves the construction of a 600 meter tunnel (2.5 meter diameter) that would be connected to the Macaua-Umiray tunnel to divert water from the Sumag River in General Nakar, Quezon Province to the Umiray-Angat Transbasin Tunnel in Angat, Bulacan.

The additional water supply would help address the increasing water requirements of residents in Metro Manila and nearby areas.

The completion of the diversion project is expected within 18 months.

The project is in line with the program of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) to increase water supply in Metro Manila.

The contract for the Sumag River Diversion Project was signed by Manila Water president and CEO Gerardo Ablaza, Jr., Cavite Ideal International CEO Lamberto Lee, Jr., and Maynilad president and CEO Victorico Vargas.