Ormoc seeks immediate release of P2-B for water system

ORMOC CITY, Leyte, May 24  -- The city government here is hoping for the release of the PHP2-billion comprehensive master plan of Ormoc’s waterworks system by 2019 in a bid to solve the decade-old water shortage here.

Since the endorsement of the project by the Regional Development Council (RDC) in September last year, there has been no feedback from the central government on the possibility of allocating funds for the system, said Mayor Richard Gomez in an interview Wednesday night.

“We badly need this project considering that during the earthquake last year, our water system was badly damaged. With the growing population, there’s really a need for a stable water supply,” Gomez told reporters.

The actor-turned-mayor admitted that without funding support from the central government, it would be “very difficult” for the city government to improve the water system due to limited resources.

“With a PHP1.3-billion Internal Revenue Allotment share every year, we are not capable of financing this project designed for 15 years. The worst case scenario, we’ll have to do it in phases using local funds,” he added.

The city government will continue to follow up the proposed funding support, especially during budget deliberation season by mid-year.

The Ormoc waterworks system will “completely overhaul, rehabilitate and expand the existing water system of the entire city of Ormoc into one system.”

The completion of the project will shut down the existing 26 pumping stations to serve as standby water source.

“The new water system will be operating 24/7 of continuous water service without interruptions,” according to its project description submitted to RDC last year.

The present water system is run by 26 pumping stations with low overhead water reservoir, resulting to very limited water pressure, depriving many of the residents of their needed water, said the city government.

“Operating these 26 pumping stations with all the valving systems which isolate the system makes the operation and maintenance complicated, not to mention the non-availability of pump spare parts during wear and tear,” the project briefer said.

Major components of the PHP2-billion water system project include development of a new water source from Lake Danao; construction of four concrete ground reservoirs that would serve as pressure breakers and water storage; and construction of 90,000 cubic meters per day water-treatment plants.

The project will also set up intake facilities, water treatment plants/facilities, water storage tanks, transmission and distribution pipelines, service connections, fire hydrants and other appurtenances.

Lake Danao, located 2,130 feet above sea level, will be the water source. The lake, one of the water sources for Tacloban City and nearby towns, covers 148 hectares within the Lake Danao Natural Park 18 km. northeast of the city’s downtown. (SQM/PNA)