P17-B Bulacan water supply project signed

MALOLOS, Philippines – Bulakenyos will soon get their supply of potable water from the watersheds in the province.

President Aquino yesterday received the concession agreement for the Bulacan Bulk Water Supply Project at the Barcie International Center here.

Manila Waterworks and Sewerage System administrator Gerry Esquivel, Bulacan Gov. Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado, San Miguel Corp. chairman Ramon Ang and the managers of the various water districts of Bulacan signed the memorandum of agreement, contract to sell and the tripartite memorandum of agreement.

The P17-billion water supply project will include the design, construction and maintenance of the conveyance and treatment facilities and water source within a 30-year concession period.

Bulacan residents are getting their supply of potable water from their own water districts. The province is facing inadequate water supply due to low water pressure, aging distribution pipelines and high water rates.

Alvarado-Sy said the project would help the 24 water districts in Bulacan to meet the increasing demand and expand the coverage of their service area.

The project will help regulate the extraction of ground water and mitigate soil subsidence in the coastal areas of the province, he added. – Ramon Efren Lazaro, Ric Sapnu