City of Mati, Davao Oriental — Davao Oriental Governor Nelson Dayanghirang is set to build a P296.5 million Bulk Water Supply System in this coastal city of 150,000 people.

During an oral presentation of the bid proposal of the lone bidder Mactan Rock Industries Inc. at the Kanato Hall Tourism Complex here, Governor Dayanghirang says that as water is becoming harder to access especially in far-flung villages here, “we will relentlessly pursue efforts to ensure sufficient, safe and affordable water supply. I have always believed that access to clean, potable and affordable water is more than a public need but a fundamental right of all families.”

“The significant progression of the City of Mati entails an increase in population along with the drastic rise in the demand for source of water. Despite having several  water suppliers, the current water supply system of the city proves to be insufficient and in an depleting stage. There is now a need to strategize and develop a sustainable water supply system. The Bulk Water Supply System aims to address and sustain the city’s water necessity by collecting both surface and ground water then distribute it to the different barangays while also making it an economic enterprise of the Province. It will comprise of three components: the characterization and assessment of available water resources, development of surface water, and development of ground water. The balance distribution is vital for the development of the supply system to avoid exploitation of the environment in the pursuit of providing sufficient water supply to the City of Mati as well as to ensure the sustainability of the project as a whole,” says the Provincial Engineering Office in a statement.

The Bulk Water Supply System here will be constructed along the Mayo River which is among the biggest river systems in Davao Oriental.

Engineer John Christopher Algallar of the Provincial Engineering Office says the following eleven villages will be the beneficiaries of the P296.5 million water project: Mayo, Don Salvador Lopez, Don Enrique Lopez, Don Martin Marundan, Dahican, Bobon, Tamisan, Lawigan, Matiao, Central and Sainz. Most of these villages, however, are hosts to world-class tourism destinations as the three seas of the City of Mati: Pujada, Balite and Mayo Bays had been declared among the world’s most beautiful.

The  local governments of Davao Oriental has several modes of providing water supply to its residents. Water systems in the municipalities of Lupon, Manay and the rest of the coastal towns are being operated by local governments. The towns of Banaybanay and Tarragona are a standout for its abundance of potable water supply. Water supply in the municipalities of San Isidro and Governor Generoso are being provided by private entities. Water supply in the provincial capital, City of Mati, is being provided by three entities: Mati Water District which is a quasi-government entity and two private firms, South Balibago Waterworks and Matiao Water District.

Governor Dayanghirang says the big-ticket water project is a big boost to investments in the province as it will attract even more tourism-related investments in the city. Both agriculture and tourism are among the strongest sectors in Davao Oriental.

Davao Oriental Second District Rep. Joel Mayo Almario, who is running for mayor in the City of Mati, was invited by Governor Dayanghirang at the oral presentation of the bid proposal for the development of Mati’s Bulk Water Supply System. Rep. Almario says the water project will also create a better business climate in Mati as it will attract more investments, and in turn, create more jobs and spur prosperity for the people of the City of Mati.

“Opportunities for success in business abound in our beloved province of Davao Oriental because we now have the facilities, the skills and the competence to get things done. And we are fully committed to pursue both the prosperity of our people, and the prosperity of those who have placed their confidence in us. We in the provincial government have been doing our part to maximize the economic potentials of our province. I invite all of you to ride on the wave of optimism in our province and invest in Davao Oriental, be it in agriculture, infrastructure, tourism or any other sector. We are eager to work with you, says the Governor in his marketing pitch. | By Ferdinand Zuasola Photos by Mark Alvite