US firm to provide air services for PH river project

ERICKSON Inc. has been tapped to provide aviation services to help the Philippine contractor undertaking the P717-million Sumag River diversion project in Quezon province.

According to the US company, it is expected to start in the second quarter heavy-lift aviation services in support of the project that aims to provide freshwater source for the Angat Dam.

Erickson is working with the Cavite Ideal International Construction and Development Corp. (Cavdeal), the main contractor for the project, and Asia Aircraft Overseas Philippines (AAOP).

Jeff Roberts, chief executive and president of Erickson, said in a statement that the company would provide the services of an S-64E Aircrane—which is basically a helicopter designed for lifting heavy cargo.

“The aircraft will be deployed to move equipment and materials required for the construction of a tunnel to divert an estimated 188 million liters of water a day from the Sumag River to the Angat Dam, augmenting the area’s water supply,” Roberts said.

In April 2014, Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water Company Inc. signed a contract committing to share the costs of the project.

The project involves the construction of a 600-meter-long, 2.5-meter-wide tunnel from Sumag River in General Nakar to the Umiray-Angat Transbasin Tunnel in Angat.

According to the water concessionaires, the additional water supply will help address the increasing water requirements of residents in Metro Manila and nearby areas.