Storm water may be used to fill up aquifers

Manila, Philippines - Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson has asked consultants of the agency to find ways for storm water to be used to fill up aquifers.

Singson made the request during a recent meeting with contractors, consultants, suppliers, and vendors.

Aquifers are underground layers of water-bearing permeable rock or consolidated materials (gravel, sand or silt) from which groundwater can be usefully extracted using a water well.

In a statement, Singson said he has encouraged consultants and flood control management experts to submit proposals to the DPWH on the new technologies that could be used to refill the aquifers, which are reportedly already showing signs of depletion.

He mentioned that there are now indications that some parts of the country are already experiencing water depletion in the aquifers but storm water could be re-injected into the underground layer of rock. 

He believes that instead of wasting storm water, which only run off and flood low-lying areas, “we should be re-injecting the run-off water into the aquifers.”

Singson arranged a meeting with the private sector in preparation for several public infrastructure projects that would be undertaken by the DPWH, which has been given a P152.9-billion budget for next year.

Singson assured the private firms that they are partners in our country’s development.

“We need reliable and well equipped contractors for us to achieve better infrastructure in the country,” he said.

He said that the bidding for government projects, particularly DPWH projects, is now transparent and competitive. There are no more lone bidders and all projects are advertised for bidding.

The results of biddings are also published in the DPWH website.

“If there are hanky-panky procedures in the bidding process in the DPWH, whether in the central office or in the field units, you can report directly to me. I have already replaced many DPWH personnel in the bids and awards committee, including the BAC secretariat whom I have found colluding with contractors to bag the project contracts,” he added.

He also asked them to make their suggestions or recommendations to further facilitate the completion of DPWH projects.

Engineer Eric Cruz of FF Cruz Construction said that the DPWH should have a standard protocol or guidelines in the preparation of design incorporating value engineering.

“Let us contribute alternative designs, especially if these are cost-effective,” said Cruz.