THE P450-million, 45,000-cubic meter bulk-water supply deal between Metro Cebu and Danao City could commence in about two years, according to an official familiar with the deal.

Cebu Fifth District Rep. Ramon Durano VI told the BusinessMirror the local government of Danao is bidding out the project and should declare a winner in about two months.

The project includes the water extraction and treatment facilities, as well as the delivery pipes.

He said the project will not only benefit Metro Cebu, but also the residents of Danao, which also needs a cheap and reliable water supply.

“The project was born out of necessity. Danao City has been relying on ground wells and we all know it is not safe anymore. The city of Danao is spending P19 million in electricity bills a year for these wells, but we cannot pass on the cost to our people,” Durano said.

“We need a source of water that is clean yet keeps the rates low for our residents.”

With one of the four biggest rivers on Cebu island, located in Danao, the local government secured a loan with the World Bank to tap Tangon River and convert it into potable water.

This will keep water rates for the people of Danao low while providing much-needed water to the growing economy of Metro Cebu.

President Arroyo herself announced the Danao bulk-water supply deal as an answer to Metro Cebu’s long-standing water woes.

Without large rivers or lakes, the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) had to dig underground wells to source some 90 percent of its water supply.

Overextraction of water, however, caused aquifers to dry up.

In worst cases, wells were contaminated by seeping nitrates and chemicals.

Sea-water intrusion is also a big problem.

Metro Cebu consumes some 100,000 cubic meters of water daily.

In the 1990s the government leaders proposed to buy large barges to carry water from Bohol to Cebu.

There was also a large bulk-water supply proposal by a consortium led by Ayala Land, which later collapsed amid opposition from local government leaders.

Durano said the project will tap the water from Tangon River in Danao City, some 40 kilometers north of Cebu City.

Based on studies, the river can produce 45,000 cubic meters of water a day.

At the initial stage of the project, the system will produce 25,000 cubic meters, with 5,000 cubic meters going to Danao and the rest delivered by pipes to Metro Cebu. Danao will sell the water to MCWD at P21 per cubic meter.

The project will also keep the water rates in Danao City at P5 per cubic meter.

Durano’s father, Ramon Durano III is mayor of Danao City.

The congressman is the brother of Tourism Secretary Joseph ”Ace“ Durano.

Source: Business Mirror