Article by:
Liza Agoot
BAGUIO CITY – The Baguio Water District (BWD) is increasing its production capacity by at least 10,000 cubic meters per day to meet the demand of the possible 2 percent increase in population until 2035.
Citing the actual 10-year population growth trend in the country’s Summer Capital from 2016 to 2025, BWD General Manager Salvador Royeca, in a report, said they are projecting an annual increase of at least 2 percent in the city’s population.
The report also noted the actual tourist arrivals in this city during the same period, averaging at 1.2 million per year, with an average stay of three days and two nights.
“We need to prepare for this, otherwise, we will have a problem in the future of scarcity of water,” Royeca told the Philippine News Agency in a private mesage on Tuesday.
In 2025, the water concessionaire undertook seven water supply expansion projects to boost the capability and supply for consumers, and these are expected to be finished this year.
It was able to extend its distribution lines by as much as 3,167 meters and installed 2,270 meters of new transmission lines, aside from upsizing at least 730 meters of its distribution lines.
Starting this year, it aims to drill at least two deep wells annually, with one already ongoing, to complement the current supply and ensure that the water concessionaire meets the future needs of residents and tourists.
It has allotted PHP45.41 million for the installation of extension of transmission lines, installation of new transmission lines, re-piping projects, upsizing of distribution lines, and facility construction and improvements.
It also eyes the construction of additional rainwater harvesting facilities in the Buyog and Camp 8 watersheds to supply raw water, help mitigate flooding, support groundwater recharge, and serve as a climate-adaptive buffer during the dry season.
Royeca said they continue to reduce system losses to bring the number to 12.46 percent by 2034, which will have an impact on water supply, as well as on the bills of the consumers.
He said reforestation and forest protection are continuing initiatives of the concessionaire to protect the city’s water sources. (PNA)
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