Protecting the next source of drinking water for the Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project
Committed to ensuring sustainable water supply across generations, Apo Agua Infrastructura, Inc. (Apo Agua) is championing the protection and conservation of the Panigan-Tamugan watershed. This invaluable natural water resource will serve as a lifeline for Davaoenos, providing them essential drinking water through the Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project.
Apo Agua is currently developing this state-of-the-art bulk water facility, which is set to provide safe, reliable, and sustainable water to the Davao City Water District.
With the onset of the El Nino phenomenon and the risks of extreme weather disturbances, Apo Agua has been forging strategic partnerships with various public and private organizations to further strengthen its continuing efforts on preserving this water source.
Through Davao City Water District (DCWD)’s Adopt-a-Site Project, Apo Agua rehabilitated a fifty (50) hectare site within the Mt. Panigan-Tamugan Watershed area in Sitios Danga, Suhod, and Tuboran in Brgy. Tambobong. This initiative has the potential to help mitigate the impacts of climate change as it will enhance the Panigan-Tamugan watershed’s ability to serve as a catchment basin and in the process, help increase river flow. To date, 32,557 endemic and fruit-bearing trees have been planted and are being maintained in the area, benefiting 46 Obu-Manuvu farmers.
Last October 2022, Apo Agua signed a tripartite partnership with DENR Region XI and FARDECO Multipurpose Cooperative (FARDECO) for the nursery development and enrichment of the 200-hectare National Greening Program areas within the Panigan-Tamugan Watershed in Brgy. Cadalian. Led by FARDECO members, a nursery of fruit-bearing trees such as cacao, coffee, durian, bamboo, ylang-ylang, lipute, and malibago is being developed in the area. Scheduled for tree-growing activities in the last quarter of 2023, this will not only contribute to environmental sustainability but also provide livelihood opportunities for the local community.
Replanting and rehabilitation efforts have also been undertaken this year at the Tamugan Riverbank. Apo Agua has planted 1,245 seedlings along the riverbank in Brgy. Wines. This effort was made in collaboration with volunteers from Barangay Wines, Bantay Bukid, the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), and the security sector.
“Importane gyud nga matamnan ang gilid sa mga sapa aron mapungnan ang pagkankan sa area. Sa pipila ka flashfloods nahitabo karong tuiga nga nakaapekto sa pampang sa Tamugan River, naglapad na gyud ang suba. Kinahanglan gyud masigurado nga kini maprotektahan alang sa katawhan ug kinaiyahan. (It is important to plant along the riverbank to avoid soil erosion. There are several flash floods that occurred this year that affected the Tamugan River. This has
led to the need to expand our conservation efforts for the benefit of the people and the environment),” Brgy. Captain Margie Binobo of Brgy. Wines shared during an interview.
Officer In Charge of CENRO Ms. Juvy Hofilena further added, “We are grateful for the support of Apo Agua in protecting one of Davao City’s watersheds and we hope more stakeholders will heed this urgent call. Specific to the Panigan-Tamugan Watershed, we also have conducted Information, Education, and Communication campaigns with Apo Agua in the communities to raise awareness on watershed conservation and biodiversity in the community.”
In support of the mandate of the Water Management Council to ensure sustainable water resource management, Apo Agua actively took part in the conduct of the Panigan-Tamugan Watershed Assessment Study from March 2021 to May 2022. The study involves identifying the risks, mapping out the current land use in the area, determining the various users of the rivers, and developing a plan to preserve and effectively manage the Panigan-Tamugan Watershed.
Apo Agua ensures strict compliance with the water and environmental permits, adhering to the authorized volume diversion from the Panigan-Tamugan River to its Water Treatment Plant in order to produce potable water. Additionally, its facilities are likewise designed and constructed to effectively return any excess water to the river.
With various communities relying on the Panigan-Tamugan River, Apo Agua and its partners urge all stakeholders to work together in safeguarding this essential resource.
