The Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project (DCBWSP) has been recognized as the Best Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in the Philippines by the UK-based International Finance Awards. The award, presented within the project’s first year of commercial operations, acknowledges the role of PPPs in addressing infrastructure needs and improving the delivery of basic services.
The DCBWSP is a joint venture between the Davao City Water District (DCWD) and Apo Agua Infrastructura, Inc., a water subsidiary of Aboitiz InfraCapital. The project provides water to over one million residents of Davao City. Eduardo V. Aboitiz, Aboitiz InfraCapital Head of Water Business and President of Apo Agua, said that the award reflects the strength of the partnership with DCWD and the importance of public-private collaborations in infrastructure development.
For over 50 years, Davao City relied on groundwater sources for its water supply. However, concerns over potential environmental impacts, including land subsidence and saltwater intrusion, prompted the shift to surface water sources. The DCBWSP was developed to address these concerns by utilizing water from the Tamugan River to supplement the city’s existing groundwater supply.
Apo Agua is responsible for the water production side of the project, operating a facility with a capacity of over 300 million liters per day (MLD). The facility integrates a hydroelectric power plant to generate energy for water treatment. The Davao City Water District manages water distribution, ensuring supply to various sectors, including households, small and medium enterprises, and large businesses across the city.
The DCBWSP’s model highlights the potential for other cities in the Philippines to adopt similar approaches to address their own infrastructure challenges. The award recognizes the project as an example of how public-private partnerships can contribute to the development of critical infrastructure and improve access to essential services.