DAVAO CITY – One-hundred sixty eight water supply projects totaling P830.54 million will be implemented in Mindanao this year, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said Wednesday.
In a statement, the DPWH said it will implement a total of P2.34-billion worth of water management facilities this year.
The DPWH said Mindanao has received an allocation amounting to P830.54 million.
DPWH Northern Mindanao and its District Engineering Offices (DEOs) received the most number of projects with 66 projects and an allocation of P289.25 million.
The DPWH said DPWH Davao Regional Office and DEOs received P260.19 million for 45 projects; DPWH Zamboanga Peninsula and its DEOs has received P169.4 million for 38 water supply projects; DPWH Socsargen has P55.55 million for 10 projects; and DPWH Caraga and DEOs has P56.15 million for nine projects.
DPWH Secretary Mark A. Villar said 476 water supply projects nationwide will be implemented. Luzon is set to build 195 while Visayas has 113.
Villar said the water supply projects include construction and rehabilitation of water distribution or supply systems, rainwater collectors, multipurpose buildings for local water districts, and water tanks for local government units.
“Part of our budget this year is allocated for the construction and rehabilitation of local water supply systems in our effort to aid addressing water shortage and providing safe and accessible water across the country,” said Villar.
“These facilities are sustainable, and will provide long-term reliable water supply for drinking or basic hygiene, especially now to prevent spread of infection from virus and diseases,” he added.