Pending NWRB ruling risks delay of bulk water project

COMMITTEE on housing, rural and urban development chairperson Rene Elias Lopez yesterday said that they are waiting for the resolution of the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) to decide whether to approve the additional allowable land use of a property in Gumalang, Marilog that is intended for the development of water treatment facility for the multi-million Tamugan Bulkwater Project.

Lopez, during the weekly edition of the Pulong-Pulong ni Pulong media forum held yesterday at Councilor's Lounge, bared that Barangay Tamugan filed a protest before the NWRB against the assignment of water extraction right to Apo Agua.

"This was filed before the National Water Resources Board last May 26 and two weeks ago, a hearing, a preliminary conference was conducted by NWRB in Davao City. They heard the arguments na bakit may protest. As of this time although this committee was not invited to that conference, I'm still awaiting the resolution of the NWRB regarding the protest filed by Barangay Tamugan," Lopez said.

He added that the application of Apo Agua for additional allowable use of six-hectare property in Barangay Gumalang is pending.

Lopez said the resolution is very crucial to their decision.

"Kasi kung panalo ang Tamugan, then, there is no water extraction right and DCWD cannot anymore assign that right to Apo Agua so wala na silang makuha na tubig, so there is no project. Very crucial yun, so right now I am awaiting for the results of that conference as this will provide us the guidelines or impetus to determine what will be the proper action that this committee will do. Very important yung report at yung decision ng NWRB," Lopez said.

He said that the item was in second reading when such protest was aired so the committee is giving more time for the resolution of the issue since the protest is very crucial since it involves water extraction right of DCWD to Apo Agua.

Lopez said Apo Agua, during the second committee hearing, assured that the project will solve the problem of water in the city.

"I think it is magnanimous of this company to present itself to the city to provide water to our fellow Dabawenyos especially in second district na for so long a time nagkakaproblema, here, we believe, and I believe too that this is a very viable solution to solve the problem of water especially in the areas in second district," he said. KVC (For full story visit www.sunstar. com.ph/davao/)