by Noel Baguio
Tagum City, Davao del Norte True to his commitment of developing water and power sources to accelerate the progress of the province, Governor Rodolfo P. Del Rosario revitalizes the stalled P2 billion Davao del Norte Integrated Water Resource Development Project (DN-IWRDP).
The DN-IWRDP is being regarded as a panacea to the perennial water problem of the cities of Tagum and Panabo, as well as the municipalities of New Corella, Asuncion, Braulio E. Dujali, and Carmen. It aims to guarantee continuous supply of potable water to the households, as well as provide sufficient water for the industries that will provide tremendous prospect for the economy of the province.
A feasibility study commissioned by Del Rosario in 2004 revealed that the project is indeed technically and economically viable. The province and the concerned local government units chipped in the amount of P30 million to carry out the study.
Del Rosario opted to retire from politics in 2004 in order to help the candidacy of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who subsequently appointed him as Presidential Adviser on New Government Centers.
He expected former Governor Gelacio Gementiza and the local chief executives to continue the project. I have already planted the seed, so to speak, so it is now up to my successor to nurture the plant for it to bear fruit, Del Rosario declared during his valedictory State of the Province Address.
However, the project was stalled when Gementiza failed to convince the respective local water districts and the rural waterworks associations to form into a single provincial water district where the necessary funds will be channeled.
Gementiza noted the local water districts are under the rein of their respective management and board who have their own prejudices and vested interests. They refuse to integrate and form into a single provincial water district and that ruined everything, he sighed in frustration.
Provincial Administrator Rufo Peligro decried the negative stance of the concerned water districts. We already have the feasibility study so we have to muster our political to implement the project. . . . I hope the water districts should realize that they cannot continue to be the hindrance to development, he stressed.
Upon his return as governor, Del Rosario vowed to develop water sources, along with the power requirement, as these basic public utilities can make or break our thrust for economic development.
Along with the DN-IWRDP, the governor is also expected to revive the proposed P4.5 billion Saug River Multi-Purpose project that was also identified as a potential source of potable water, along with the other major components that include an irrigation system, hydro-power generation and in-land fishery project.
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