THE more the merrier, and the better to choose the best proposal from. Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado made this comment after three groups have expressed their intention to harness the Upper Abatan River and Loboc River for the potable and other domestic water use of Metro Tagbilaran that includes its namesake city and the two towns in Panglao Island , as well as those that the pipelines will traverse from the source.

STA. CLARA

Aumentado and Nicandro Linao, president of the Mandaluyong City-based Sta. Clara International Corp. (SCIC) recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) formalizing the bulk water supply project in the light of the increasing need for the commodity that is attendant to Bohol 's becoming the top eco-cultural heritage tourism destination in the country today. Bohol has seven major watersheds but nearest to Metro Tagbilaran is the Upper Abatan River with headwaters in San Isidro and Catigbian towns. The river can even be tapped also for irrigation, power generation and eco-tourism facilities.

SCIC has extensive experience in the development, construction and operation of infrastructure facilities in the Philippines and abroad, and has expressed the wish to develop the Sinakayanan River in Catigbian and Sampilangon River in San Isidro – both tributaries of Upper Abatan for beneficial uses in support of Bohol 's economy. To note, SCIC now operates the Loboc Mini-Hydroelectric Plant tapping the Tontonan Falls in Gotozon, Loboc. It now wants to conduct a feasibility study on the potentials especially of Sinakayanan to ascertain its technical feasibility, financial viability and the appropriate contractual engagement for such purposes named above.

Under the MOU, Bohol will provide SCIC with access to the river and peripheral areas while the latter will ensure the safety and security of its personnel in the course of the study. Bohol will also provide the latter with needed data. In return, SCIC will provide Bohol gratuitously with a copy of the study although subject to confidentiality undertaking. If feasible, SCIC has expressed the intention of undertaking the project on a build-operate-transfer (BOT) scheme, it was learned, hence there will be no cash out on the part of the province – in the process, freeing its money for other projects.

To save on construction materials and finish the project more quickly, Aumentado said SCIC intends to provide a short cut from the water source to the beneficiary by boring a tunnel through mountains or rock formations. It has a tunneling machine it extensively uses in jobs abroad. Aumentado said the study will take around two months to complete.

MAYNILAD

On the other hand, the Maynilad Water Services Inc. of the Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) chaired by Manuel Pangilinan has similarly expressed interest in developing also the Loboc River for bulk potable and domestic water use for Metro Tagbilaran. To note, Maynilad's good performance swung MPIC to profits in 2008. With this experience to back it up, Aumentado said Maynilad will similarly need around two months to complete its study. He said this spells two sources of water for Metro Tagbilaran – this time, surface water. To note, Tagbilaran now also experiences salt water intrusion with the apparent over-extraction than the underground water can replenish itself, thereby the shift to surface water. Panglao has no choice. It being an island, it has to source its fresh water from the mainland. The resort island is connected to the mainland through two causeways.

BWUI

Not to be left behind in the water study is the Bohol Water Utilities, Inc. (BWUI). Getting most of its supply for urban Tagbilaran from groundwater drilled in nearby Corella town, it has expressed interest in getting surface water from Upper Abatan River also in order to supply the future requirements of Panglao Island. Having laid out its pipes to Dauis town already, it is the best bet to supply the water needs for the construction – to start within this year – of the Panglao Bohol International Airport. But its current supply definitely cannot meet the needs of the airport terminal building as well as its attendant mushrooming tourism-oriented and tourism-related businesses, hence the need to harness the Upper Abatan River.