LGU permit delays bulk water contract

CEBU, Philippines — Bulk water supplier Mactan Rock Industries Inc., (MRII) announced that water supply will not be a problem especially in Mactan Island once the Lapu-Lapu City government releases the permit for additional supply of at least 5,000 cubic meters a day.

MRII president and chief executive officer Antonio Camelo Tompar said in an interview that the company has already installed a P100 million facility to extract water from the sea.

The company already won the bidding conducted by the Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD) for additional bulk water contract, what’s keeping the facility on hold is the release of Lapu-Lapu City permit to start operation.

The project, according to Tompar would aid the looming shortage of water supply due to the projected dry spell season.

The project is also duly approved by the National Water Regulatory Board (NWRB).

Unlike Metro Manila, Cebu could be saved from water crisis because of industries for instance like resorts, industrial firms are now adopting desalination technology minimizing their water source from water districts.

If given the go signal to operate, the facility could supply water to at least 20 thousand households in Lapu-Lapu City.

Tompar added that Metro Cebu in general should not be wary of water supply scarcity as it has a number of rivers to tap, idle wells to activate, as well as adopting the desalination technology.

However, activation of these potential water sources depend on the Local Government Units (LGUs) support.