By Joey Pavia / Correspondent
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—The Metropac Water Investments Corp. (MWIC), a subsidiary of Manuel V. Pangilinan-led Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), and the Apalit, Pampanga, local government will look into tapping the water of Pampanga River as a major source of potable water.
Under the memorandum of agreement (MOA) recently signed by MPIC President Laurence L. Rogero and Apalit Mayor Oscar Tetangco Jr., MWIC will conduct a pilot project to finance, construct and operate a technology research facility to test the economy and effectivity of the Ferrate treatment technology and other technology solutions. The project will be done at no cost to the local government.
“The rapid urbanization of Apalit will result in a significant rise in water demand, which necessitates a shift in water-supply source from deepwells to surface water to ensure sustained economic growth, public health and environmental sustainability,” the MOA said.
The Pampanga River is a potential surface-water source for Apalit, provided that an appropriate technology solution proves to be effective in treating raw water to potable standards at an acceptable cost,” it added.
MWIC provides water and wastewater services for the West Zone of the Greater Manila Area, including portions of Manila, Quezon City and Makati City and Pasay City, and key cities and towns in Cavite.
MWIC bagged late last year a deal with a local bulk water supplier to improve water operations in Cagayan de Oro City. It will operate and maintain the 100-million-liter-per-day bulk-water facility of Rio Verde Water Corp. in Baungon, Bukidnon.
“We sincerely want to thank MVP [Manuel V. Pangilinan] for this project that will help ensure the steady supply of clean water for many generations to come. He continuously and aggressively profess his love and concern for his hometown and home province, as well,” Tetangco said.
Pangilinan is a native of Apalit.
The project of MWIC is the second multimillion-peso project lured by Tetangco in 2015. In March Novosol Power Co., which has offices in Canada, the US and West Africa, launched its $80-million project with businessman Jaime Tetangco for the establishment of a solar power plant in Barangay San Juan, Apalit.
The international company is building its first solar power plant that will benefit residents of six Pampanga towns, including Apalit town, which has some 16,000 electric consumers.
Apalit, which has some 110,000 residents and 51,007 registered voters in 2013, is the gateway to the coastal Pampanga towns of Macabebe and Masantol and Calumpit in Bulacan.
The Pampanga River, also known as Rio Grande de Pampanga, is the second-largest river on Luzon and the third-largest river in the country. It traverses the provinces of Pampanga, Bulacan and Nueva Ejica.
Image credits: Joey Pavia