MORONG, Bataan – The state-owned Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and the Morong Power and Water Corporation (MPWC) forged last Thursday an agreement for the latter to lease a 4,500 square meter lot in the Bataan Technology Park (BTP) to establish a 500 million-peso water treatment facility that will supply potable water to the town of Morong, the BTP, and the Subic Water Sewerage System.
BCDA president and CEO Arnel Casanova said the MPWC’s initial estimate for the water treatment facility project is P495 million to be completed in the second quarter of 2018. He said the scarcity of potable water in Morong, Bataan will soon be a thing of the past with the entry of the new locator.
“We welcome Morong Power and Water Corporation as the newest locator in BTP and look forward to the near future when potable water will be accessible by the public,” Casanova said in a news statement.
At present, there is no water treatment facility that services Morong, Bataan. The source of water comes from deep wells. Others tap water from springs, rivers and from individual rain catchments. There is also no storage facilities for water. Direct pumping is done for delivery to the respective areas.
Casanova added that the access to potable water has far reaching positive socioeconomic effects. He said access to drinking water can break the cycle of poverty as he cited the importance of water for social and political stability.
“The availability of affordable potable water for everyone will not only provide safe drinking water but will serve as the catalyst to jumpstart micro, small and medium businesses and generate income for the people. Simple as it may be, it’s a game changer in all fronts be it social, economic and political, to improve the lives of the people,” Casanova pointed out.
For the operation of the water utility with the Morong Special Economic Zone (MSEZ), MPWC will pay the BCDA a fixed amount and variable rate of two percent of gross revenues realized from its operations. The term of the lease is 50 years but renewable for another 25 years upon mutual agreement of BCDA and MPWC.
The BTP is referred to the main zone of the Morong Special Economic Zone (MSEZ). BTP is an economic zone owned and operated by BCDA. The 365-hectare economic zone was used to be the former Philippine Refugee and Processing Center (PRPC).
