Badian signs P35 million water works project with AWC

CEBU, Philippines - A private firm has invested P35 million water work system to bring in safe and potable water for the residents in Badian town.

The Cebu-based Abejo Waters Corp. is set to start today the pipe laying works which employ 50 local workers.

A memorandum of agreement was entered into between AWC represented by its president and chief executive officer Gabino Abejo Jr. and the municipality of Badian represented by Mayor Robburt Librando last September 19, 2012, just months after the diarrhea outbreak downed more than 150 last July.

E. Coli bacteria and fecal coliforms were found in water samples reportedly brought by the lack of toilets of the residents resulting to water contamination.

Gerry Abejo, the project development manager for water distribution of AWC, said that they are utilizing surface water from a spring in Barangay Basak some 7.8 kilometers away from the 2,500 target households in Poblacion.

Abejo said that they don’t use anymore the pipe lines of existing water works system of the local government unit as they intend to construct a new one.

He said that they will also put up a treatment plant in the water source upon learning that there are times that the water becomes murky.

They hope to complete the three-phased project before the year ends.

Abejo said that the company will fully operate the water system but the agreement provides that the LGU will get two percent of gross sales with 1,500 cubic meters per day of water supply.

Aside from the construction, the company will do the distribution and collection and will put up operation office in the town.

The rates are set at P22 per cubic meter for the first 10 cubic meters; P26 for 11 to 20 cubic meters; P36 for 21 to 30 cubic meters; and P46 for 31 cubic meters and above.

The project is said to be a major infrastructure undertaking by a private investor under the administration of Librando.

Abejo added that the LGU decided to look for an investor instead of running the water system by itself.

This is the second LGU in Cebu Province the AWC has partnered with. AWC also has partnership with the City of Naga.—(FREEMAN)