The
much-awaited water supply to the beach resorts in Panglao Island will encounter
another delay while a scheduled signing of a memorandum of agreement failed due
to a pending issue that needs to be resolved.
The
proposed water rate pegged at P28 per cubic meter elicited some questions from
Panglao officials who earlier agreed to purchase water from the Bohol Water Utilities,
Inc. (BWUI).
Gov.
Erico Aumentado convened an emergency meeting together with Rep Edgar Chatto last
Friday at the Bohol Tropics to identify the points to be resolved in order that
water supply can reach the beach resorts in due time.
During
the meeting, BWUI manager Romy Robles explained that the rate was based on the
consumption level of the beach resorts which was estimated at 36,000 cubic meters
per month (or 1,200 cubic meters daily).
The
local officials led by Panglao Vice Mayor Pedro Fuertes queried on why the rate
went up to P28 when an earlier proposal pegged the rate at P11 to Pl4 only per
cubic meter.
The
rate difference was due to the arrangement that BWUI will supply water only to
the beach resorts while the residential areas will be served by the Panglao waterworks
system, presently supplying non-potable water to residents.
"If
the entire 4,500 household will be supplied, aside from the beach resorts,"
then the water rate will be much lower than P28/cubic meter, Robles explained.
The
earlier proposed P11 per cubic meter rate was based on the estimated consumption
of 80,000 per cubic meter if BWUI will serve the entire Panglao Island with an
estimated daily consumption of 2,600 cubic meters.
However,
because of the agreed "two-China policy" wherein BWUI serves the beach
resorts while the Panglao rural waterworks will cater to the residential houses,
the estimated water consumption was reduced to 36,000 cubic meters only which
cause the projected water rate to increase following the fundamental law on supply
and demand, the BWUI official told the Chronicle yesterday.
Since
the estimated 36,000 cubic meter monthly consumption was based on a supposed survey
way back in 2004, the LGU officials and BWUI agreed during last Friday's meeting
to re-survey the actual water consumption of the beach resorts in order to come
up with new proposed water rate.
Panglao
Mayor Doloreich Dumaluan who failed to attend the meeting was quoted as saying
that a technical working group will be created by the Panglao LGU to study on
how to come up with a realistic estimate on water consumption.
It
maybe recalled that resort owners clamored for potable water during the meeting
last month of the Provincial Tourism Council (PTC), chaired by Peter Dejaresco,
at the Bohol Beach Club. The owners articulated their demand to let water supply
reach their resorts regardless on which agency will bring the potable water, at
reasonable rates.
Gov,
Aumentado and Rep. Chatto immediately convened resort owners and the Panglao officials
together with the BWUI representatives a week after the PTC meeting.
Mayor
Dumaluan and Vice Mayor Fuertes, who are political arch rivals came into an agreement
during that meeting at the Governor's Mansion to let BWUI bring in the water supply
since its existing pipelines are in place up Mariveles, Dauis, barely few kilometers
from Panglao town. Both warring factions of Dumaluan and town kagawads identified
with Fuertes came into terms to agree on letting BWUI supply water to the resorts
while the existing rural waterworks system will continue supplying the residential
areas. However,
this will not prevent residences to apply to BWUI later on.
The
groups signed a manifesto for implementation during that meeting. However, the
signing of the final contract during the Bohol Investment Forum last week failed
due to the question on the P28 per cubic meter water rate.
Manager
Robles likewise said that the marked difference in the water rate in Dauis town
and the proposed rate in Panglao is due to huge consumption of water in Dauis
since the LGU is buying by bulk and distributes it to local residences. The Pll
per cubic meter rate is based on the 42,000 cubic meter consumption plus the fact
that the investment on pipelines was less due to the shorter distance from the
BWUI water source. In fact, BWUI did not have to construct a water reservoir in
Dauis town.
In
Panglao, BWUI will invest no less than P20 million for the pipes and P2 million
for the reservoir, Robles said.
The
issue on water rate can be resolved soon after the actual water consumption of
the resorts can be established, the BWUI official concluded.
Gov,.
Auimentado and Rep. Chatto urged to fast-track the survey to sign soonest the
contract for water supply to Panglao resorts. | 
