Aboitiz on the prowl for more water projects

The Aboitiz Group has set its sights on expanding its water business to other provinces in need of additional supply, following the full commercial operations of the country’s largest bulk water supply project.

Speaking to reporters last week, Aboitiz Group president and chief executive Sabin Aboitiz said they were aiming to replicate the P12-billion Davao City bulk water supply project at economic zones in Tarlac province.

“Where they welcome us, we would like to be there,” Aboitiz said when asked where they aimed to expand similar projects.

He did not elaborate on a specific expansion timeline, but clarified that they “will now look at other projects.”

The Aboitiz Group, through Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc. (AIC), has other existing water infrastructure projects in the country, including the recently opened bulk water supply project in Davao City.

It doubled the production capacity of Davao City Water District (DCWD) to 630 million liters per day (MLD).

This allowed DCWD to lessen dependence on ground water, which it said was more yellowish in color due to minerals.The facility managed by AIC subsidiary Apo Agua Infrastructura Inc. will also let production wells replenish faster. These would also be tapped as contingency in cases of unexpected shutdowns in the bulk water supply facility.

According to Aboitiz, they also plan to expand the Davao project as DCWD’s concession area—currently consisting of 245,000 connections—widens.

Another project is the Lima facility in Batangas province that has a production capacity of 14.5 MLD and a wastewater treatment capacity of 26 MLD.

AIC also has a minority stake in Balibago Waterworks System Inc., whose franchise area covers around 235,000 households in 11 regions and 20 provinces. INQ