MCWD eyes Tagbao’s Manggasang Falls as water source

CEBU, Philippines —  The Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) is considering the development of Manggasang Falls in Barangay Tagbao, Cebu City for it to be one of its sources of water supply.

A site inspection was conducted by MCWD officials headed by its chairman Jose Daluz III yesterday morning.

Per the record, the falls, which is located in a mountain barangay, could yield a minimum of 2,000 cubic meters during summer season and a maximum of 200,000 cubic meters during rainy season per day.

Daluz said aside from being a source of water supply, it could also help in promoting the barangay’s tourism with their plan to develop the area.

He said they are taking actions per the request of Mayor Edgardo Labella to develop the city’s surface water.

“Ang Cebu City is willing to help financially pag-develop ani atong mga water sources if viable siya for development,” he said.

Daluz said the estimated budget for the development is P500 million to P1 billion, which is planned to be done by phase.

“Dako-dako gyud ang himoon nga development. Most likely og makakita ta’g space diri, atong i-impound ang water na ma-store and then i-boost padung sa babaw,” he said.

The priority for the project is Barangay Tagbao and possibly its neighboring barangays namely Adlaon and Taptap.

Daluz added there is a possibility for the water supply to reach the lowland.

“Dako ang possibility na moabot sa lowland. Ang challenge is the boosting all the way up,” he said.

Considering the making of the facility is already a challenge, he also hopes that the barangay will cooperate on this planned development.

Currently, it is still undergoing study.

Following the site visit with the MCWD experts, Daluz said a committee will be created to focus on this and eventually to start doing the technical services.

MCWD earlier visited Barangay Budlaan for the same purpose, to look for water sources.

Daluz said there are still two more areas in barangays Pamutan and Bonbon that they are going to inspect.

“Sa suroy nato sa duha ka buok waterfalls, we have abundance of water. What we lack is infrastructure and development in order nga atong ma-catch ang tubig aron ma-deliver nato sa ubos,” said Daluz. — KQD (FREEMAN)