Capitol closes water deal

The Capitol successfully negotiated the unsolicited offer for the Bulk Water Supply System with a consortium led by Manila Water Company Inc.

Now, it is inviting bids for a comparative proposal for a joint investment agreement for the development, operation and maintenance of a bulk water supply system in the province.

Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia announced the closing of the deal during her State of the Province Address on Friday.

The project cost is pegged at P1.5  billion.

Engineer Adolfo Quiroga, head of the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) said an  invitation to bid notice was published in a  national daily  on Friday.

Representatives from the Manila Water Co. made the bulk water proposal to the governor last April.

Under the proposal, Cebu Bulk Water Supply Project (CBWSP), Manila Water will supply 35 million liters per day of potable bulk water sourced from the Luyang River of Carmen town to meet the growing water supply requirements of the towns of Lilo-an, Compostela, Consolacion, Cordova and the cities of Danao, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu.

The project will be implemented under the framework of the Joint Investment Guidelines issued by the Cebu Provincial Board, which provides for the guidelines and procedures in entering into a joint investment activity with the province.

Key  features of the proposal include a no “take or pay” provision and the turnover of all the JI company’s assets to the province once the  25-year cooperation period has lapsed.

Aside from Manila Water, the consortium is composed of Stateland Inc and Vicsal Development Corporation (or the Manila Water Consortium).