Metro Dumaguete Water (MDW) is committing a P524-million investment over the next five years to enhance the city’s water supply and services.
The capital expenditure (CAPEX) program is a key component of MDW’s long-term master plan to ensure a reliable and affordable water supply for residents. MDW is a partnership between Dumaguete City Water District and Metro Pacific Water.
MDW will use the investment for various capital projects aimed at improving and expanding the water distribution network, according to chief operating officer Robert Cabiles in a statement.
Cabiles shared the details of the plan during a recent presentation to the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Dumaguete.
The P524 million will be directed toward four key areas: service improvements, non-revenue water (NRW) management, source development and the employment of new technologies.
Cabiles said operational targets, including ensuring potable water quality, reliable supply availability and pressure and wider service area coverage, are “even ahead of schedule.”
MDW last year established two new pumping stations, PS 21 and 22, which have augmented the city’s water supply by 6.7 million liters per day (MLD).
The company said it also rehabilitated over nine kilometers of distribution pipeline and laid an additional four kilometers of transmission pipeline, expanding its network and improving efficiency.
These improvements have contributed to MDW covering 95 percent of the city’s 135,000 residents.
Despite the progress, Cabiles acknowledged that some areas of the city still do not enjoy 24/7 water availability.
He said these specific zones have been identified as a priority in the new master plan.
“These zones have been identified in our first five years of operations and have been factored into our masterplan. The sustainable solutions for these areas have been identified and will be rolled out in the next one-three years,” Cabiles said.
He said the CAPEX programs would directly address these issues. Plans include the development of a new pumping station to add supply to northern barangays and the necessary pipe upgrades to cope with population and demand growth.
Beyond infrastructure, MDW has also invested in customer service programs, including the introduction of over 1,000 new payment partners and a 24/7 customer service hotline.
Despite the substantial capital expenditures, Cabiles assured the council that MDW continues to offer one of the most affordable water rates in the province, with a minimum charge of P202.50.
“We are keeping our rates fair and reasonable. We can only uplift lives in the city by providing safe and affordable water to the Dumagueteños,” he said.
