The Dumaguete City Water District has formally donated its 50 percent stake in the Septage Management Plant to the City Government of Dumaguete, in a signing ceremony at City Hall last week.
With this donation, the City will now operate the septage treatment plant, and gain full control and supervision of its management, operations, and the employees.
This was the condition set by Mayor Felipe Remollo to withdraw the Injunction case filed by the City in court against the DCWD and the MetroPac Water Corp.
The City had earlier objected to the 25-year Joint Venture Agreement between the DCWD and MetroPac which would allow MetroPac to infuse P1.6 billion for the rehabilitation, operation, maintenance, and expansion of DCWD’s water system.
As of 2018, DCWD serves an estimated 162,389 consumers.
In a press conference to announce the acceptance of the joint venture proposal of Metro Pacific Water last year, DCWD General Manager Esperato Dicen said the DCWD accepted the unsolicited proposal of MetroPac to address the increasing gap between supply and demand, and prevent rationing of water.
Dicen said the water supply is short by about 7,800 cubic meters every day, which would reach 10,470 cubic meters after 10 years, unless something was done.
Dicen said the DCWD Board decided that compared to raising money through bank loans and other means, the Joint Venture Agreement was the best option because the investment recovery would be extended for a long duration, resulting in lower water rates. (Dems Demecillo)
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