JVSC to look into water proposal for the SRP

CEBU, Philippines - The Joint Venture Selection Committee that studied the P25 billion Filinvest Land Inc. investment at the South Road Properties will reconvene to look into the proposal of Pilipinas Water Resources Inc. to supply water for the entire 305-hectare SRP.

PWRI is a consortium of Mactan Rock Industries and the Lhuillier Group of Companies.

City administrator Francisco Fernandez, chairman of the JVSC for the FLI proposal, said it was decided that the same committee members will be the ones to study the PWRI proposal. Acting Mayor Michael Rama is set to reconvene the JVSC members soon.

PWRI submitted its unsolicited proposal to the Cebu Investment Promotions Center that forwarded the proposal to Rama.

“Once the terms of reference of the joint venture are in place, there will be publication of notice to interested parties, submission of bids and awarding of the project, just like FLI,” Fernandez said.

Fernandez said whoever can acquire of the project will operate at the city’s desalination plant located at the SRP and shall provide all necessary water infrastructure, including pumping stations, reservoirs and pipes.

The city is now finalizing the Memorandum of Agreement with the Visayan Electric Company for electricity at the SRP.

Both water and electricity providers will have to pay distribution fees to the city.

FLI is set to develop in the next six months the first phases of the 10 hectares it has purchased outright at the SRP and the other 40 hectares it will develop together with the city. — Ferliza C. Contratista/JMO (THE FREEMAN)