As if timed for the operation of the Bohol Panglao International Airport, water supply for both municipalities of Panglao and Dauis is assured to flow to the beach resorts and residential houses starting September this year.
This assurance was issued by Ralph Miguel B. Lim, President of Richli Corporation whose company will launch a landmark groundbreaking of a state-of-the-art water treatment facility in barangay Purok 2, Barangay Patrocino in Cortes town tomorrow morning.
The gigantic water project valued at P1.5 billion boasts of its expected water output of 300,000 liters per second targeted to benefit more than 90,000 water-starved residents of the two fast-growing towns in Panglao Island. The source of this major waterworks project is Malingin River in Cortes town.
Pres. Rodrigo Duterte was invited as the guest of honor during tomorrow’s groundbreaking rites. The President sent Tourism Secretary Wanda T. Teo and Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael L. Dino to represent him during the formal launching of the first surface water based bulk and retail distribution supply system in the province.
Atty. Rafael Tatlonghari, Area Center Manager of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) with the ongoing construction of the New Bohol Panglao Airport under his supervision will represent the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the aviation authority.
SURFACE WATER
The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) granted a water permit no. 024274 on October 26, 2017 signed by NWRB Executive Director Dr. Sevillo D. David, Jr. on the strength of Board Resolution No. 001-0806.
The water permit granted Richard B. Lim, Jr. to use water from Malingin River not exceeding 300.00 liters per second by diverting the water by means of intake structure with the diversion point located at Patrocinio, Cortes.
The new water permit supersedes water permit no. 08-23-17-002 and was issued for “municipal” purposes which Richli officials explained to the Chronicle to mean that the corporation can distribute water to its customers either by bulk or retail.
PIPEWORKS
The more than 5000 high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes will be laid underground covering 27 kilometers of main transmission lines starting in Barangay Patrocinio, Cortes ending at Barangay Bolod, Panglao.
Distribution line will be laid in some Dauis barangays pending requests for water connections from residents while water pipes for individual household connections in Panglao will start in neighboring barangays after Bolod.
Four contractors have been engaged by Richli Corp. to fast-track the laying of the water pipes to ensure it’s completion on or before September 2018.
The 32-kilometer water pipe will traverse the barangays of Patrocinio, Cortes then weaves to 5 barangays in Corella straight to San Isidro in Tagbilaran City making its way to Barangay Libertad in Baclayon then cross to Poblacion Dauis passing five barangays and enters Panglao via Libaong and Bolod.
NEW WATER PIPES
According to Engr. Joffrey Hapitan, who designed, build and operate the Richli water system, tap water will start to flow from residents water faucets on or before August 2018 from water pipes dug along the 32-kilometer route from Cortes, Tagbilaran City, Dauis, and Panglao.
An initial PhP800 million has been set aside for the funding of phase 1 while PhP200 million has been spent for land and right of way acquisition, permits, detailed engineering design, construction of water treatment plant and purchase of pipes, according to Lim.
A 200 KVA standby generator will guarantee uninterrupted water supply during power interruptions similar to the crippling one month Yolanda blackout and the recent earthquake that disrupted power supply in Leyte, the province major source of power.
The ambitious water project will greatly reduce the reliance on unsustainable and dwindling groundwater reserves utilized by Tagbilaran City, Baclayon, Dauis and Panglao and will significantly improve the daily lives of the residents and provide the necessary support to the tourist industry.
BASIC NECESSITY
Richli, a Boholano owned corporation, who has been instrumental in bringing the project to full realization is now set to sign a contract with the municipality of Cortes represented by Mayor Iven Lim and Patrocinio Barangay Captain Catalina Chatto for the use of its water resources.
Ralph Miguel B. Lim, President of Richli Corporation and Chief Operating Officer (COO), Eskaya Beach Resort Corporation told the Chronicle “the signing of this contract with the local government units is a major landmark in providing the much needed financial and technological solutions to address the water challenges in the province.”
“Since we are also engaged in the tourism resort business, abundant water will now be available to the booming tourist industry in Panglao especially with the completion and operation of the New Bohol Panglao airport this year,” added Lim.
Lim also expressed his appreciation for the support of the Provincial Government of Bohol under Gov. Edgar Chatto in line with its Bohol Water Sanitation Project.
WELCOME
DEVELOPMENT
Chatto during the Provincial Development Council (PDC) executive meeting on December 11, 2017 where top executives of Richli Corporation presented their project expressed elation over the revelations of the water company that they will be strictly observing the principle of “non-exclusivity” and their source conforms to the objective of the provincial government to tap the extensive surface water resources in the province.
Richli’s bulk and water distribution system was considered a different “modality” from the earlier purely bulk water proposals that led Chatto to request the Sangguniang Panglalawigan (SP) thru the PDC to adopt the presentation materials of Richli for the guidance of the provincial government.
UNINTERRUPTED SUPPLY
The more than 5000 high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes will be laid underground covering 27 kilometers of main transmission lines starting in Barangay Patrocinio, Cortes ending at Barangay Bolod, Panglao.
Distribution line will be laid in some Dauis barangays pending requests for water connections from residents while water pipes for individual household connections in Panglao will start in neighboring barangays after Bolod.
Four contractors have been engaged by Richli Corp. to fast-track the laying of the water pipes to ensure it’s completion on or before August, 2018.
The 32-kilometer water pipe will traverse the barangays of Patrocinio, Cortes then weaves to 5 barangays in Corella straight to San Isidro in Tagbilaran City making its way to Barangay Libertad in Baclayon then cross to Poblacion Dauis passing five barangays and enters Panglao via Libaong and Bolod.
According to Engr. Joffrey Hapitan, who designed, build and operate the Richli water system, tap water will start to flow from residents water faucets on or before August, 2018 from water pipes dug along the 32-kilometer route from Cortes, Tagbilaran City, Dauis and Panglao.
An initial PhP800 million has been set aside for the funding of phase 1 while PhP200 million has been spent for land and right of way acquisition, permits, detailed engineering design, construction of water treatment plant and purchase of pipes, according to Lim.
A 200 KVA standby generator will guarantee uninterrupted water supply during power interruptions similar to the recent earthquake that disrupted power supply in Leyte, the province major source of power.
The ambitious water project will greatly reduce the reliance on dwindling groundwater reserves by Tagbilaran City, Baclayon, Dauis and Panglao and will significantly improve the daily lives of the residents and provide the necessary support to the tourist industry. (Chito M. Visarra)