AB Bulk Water Co. Inc., a new subsidiary of A Brown Company Inc., held the groundbreaking for the P500-million bulk water supply project in Opol, Misamis Oriental.
AB Bulk Water will undertake the bulk water supply project in partnership with the municipal government of Opol under the public-private-partnership scheme.
A Brown executive chairman Walter Brown and president Robertino Pizarro led the groundbreaking ceremony.
“Mr. Pizarro and I are delighted to be able to participate in the first truly private-public venture, of huge importance—the development of water resources,” Brown said in a statement.
“We are very pleased with the level of cooperation of the local government of Opol. By working together, we would be able to improve the welfare of the local community and the province,” he said.
Brown expressed hope the project would be an example for other local communities.
“Potable water is an essential and central ingredient in the life of any community, especially in light of the ongoing El Niño,” he said.
Opol mayor Max Seno said the development of a bulk water project would trigger inclusive growth for the municipality.
The water system is expected to benefit 25,000 residents of Opol town and nearby areas like El Salvador City and Laguindingan in Misamis Oriental.
A Brown, a company listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange, is the holding company for the various businesses of Brown and family, with strategic interests in agribusiness (palm oil plantation and milling), power generation (coal, diesel, hydro and renewables) and resources (precious metals, oil and gas exploration).
The company has generally focused on business interests in Mindanao, although its power and real estate segments have investments in other regions.
Real estate is one of the company’s core businesses.