NIA opposes Dennis Uy’s water supply project in Calabarzon

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) is strongly opposing a water supply project of businessman Dennis Uy in Calabarzon, as it may result in a shortage of water for agricultural use in Quezon province.

NIA Calabarzon submitted a position paper to Tiaong Mayor Ramon Preza, saying that the P103-million ($2.12-million) Lumbo Spring Bulk Water Supply project will adversely affect Lagnas River, one of the tributaries of Lumbo Spring.

The project aims to provide 10,000 cubic meters per day to Laguna’s San Pablo City Water District (SPCWD) and 2,000 cubic meters per day to Quezon’s Dolores Water District (DWD) for at least 25 years.

Lumbo Spring is located south of San Pablo City, Laguna, and to the west of Dolores, Quezon.

The project was initiated by the SPCWD and DWD in 2020. It was awarded to Uy’s Udenna Water and Integrated Services Incorporated through a public-private partnership scheme.

The project will draw about 12 million liters of water daily from Lumbo Spring.

Lagnas River, which is connected to Lumbo Spring, is a source of water supply for close to 700 hectares of rice fields of some 400 farmers.

“There is a clear threat of irrigation water shortage due to the increasing numbers of water users both for domestic and agricultural use,” said the position paper signed by Fidel Martinez, division manager of NIA’s Quezon Irrigation Management Office.

Preza had issued a similar statement prior to NIA’s letter, noting that farmers have already observed a reduction in water supply for crop growing.

“Although drinking water is also one of the basic human needs to survive, our town strongly believes that there are other sources which the San Pablo City Water District can use to meet their needs,” the Tiaong mayor said.

Udenna has yet to issue a statement as of writing. – Rappler.com

$1 = P48.695