Adopt-a-Site Project welcomes two adopters in Mt. Tipolog-Tamugan Watershed

(From L) CREAD OIC Ruth G. Jabines and OIC of the Office of the AGM for Operations Rey C. Chavez ceremoniously ink the memorandum of agreement with PPFI Corporate Affairs Manager Beethoven Sur and Senior Vice President for External Affairs Zorilla.

Adopt-a-Site Project welcomes two adopters of Mt. Tipolog-Tamugan Watershed

Shaira Angelica S. Magno & Camille Margarette U. Solon

Davao City Water District welcomed two new adopters for the Mt. Tipolog-Tamugan Watershed Adopt-a-Site Project in the last quarter of the year in its efforts to protect and rehabilitate the future major surface water source in the city. As adopters, they pledged to donate PhP12,000 per year for five years for every hectare of land adopted to subsidize the cost of planting, maintenance and rehabilitation programs in the adopted sites. The remaining cost is funded by DCWD. Adopting five hectares was Phoenix Philippines Foundation, Inc. (PPFI) after signing the Memorandum of Agreement with DCWD on November 21, 2018. PPFI Senior Vice President for External Affairs Atty. Alan Raymond T. Zorilla emphasized that the adoption is a symbol of thanksgiving for the continued partnership in making a difference in the communities. The foundation had adopted five hectares in DCWD’s project site in Mt. TalomoLipadas Watershed and completed its pledge in 2017. Next to seal their commitment to adopt 50 hectares was DCWD’s partner for the Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project, Apo Agua Infrastructura Inc., on November 26, 2018 during the construction kick-off of the Part A of the bulk water supply project. This undertaking will be using the Tamugan River found in the Mt. TipologTamugan Watershed to supply around 300 million liters of water per day to most of Davao City. Apo Agua General Manager Cirilo C. Almario III stated, “We at Apo Agua are dedicated to this cause of protecting and rehabilitating Davao City’s watersheds to ensure the long-term security of our water supply.” For DCWD, this partnership will not only forge stronger relations between DCWD and Apo Agua but will also mean stronger and bigger efforts to secure the Tamugan River. It can be recalled that on September 13, 2017, DCWD entered into an agreement with the Obu Manuvu Tribe of Davao City to add 50 more hectares on top of the 316 hectares of project site inside Mt. Talomo-Lipadas Watershed. This addition prompted the opening of said watershed for the Adopt-a-Site Project.

(From R) Office of the AGM-O OIC Chavez, CREAD OIC Jabines, and GM Edwin V. Regalado sign the memorandum of agreement with Apo Agua GM Almario, President Roman V. Azanza III, and Community Relations Officer Jade Hazel D. Gamas.