CEBU CITY – Amid fears of water supply shortage due to the dry spell phenomenon otherwise known as El Niño, a Cebu-based water technology provider has bared the availability of some 4,000 cubic meters of water daily, specifically for corporations here to tap.

Bulk water supplier Pilipinas Water Resources Inc. (PWRI) and water technology firm Mactan Rock Industries Inc. (Mactan Rock) has announced an excess capacity of 3,000 to 4,000 cubic meters per day sourced from desalination plants installed by both companies around Metro Cebu.

“Our excess capacity will help companies to avoid water supply disruption, and this will help save Cebu from severe shortage of water similar to what has happened in Metro Manila and other neighboring provinces,” said Mactan Rock Chairman Antonio P. Tompar.

Tompar said that in a few weeks, Mactan Rock and PWRI will be able to supply said excess water capacity for corporations around Metro Cebu in need of a steady supply of water.

“This way, the Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD) can focus its attention in providing water to the residential consumers,” he said in an interview.

Both Mactan Rock and PWRI have a daily total water supply capacity of 20,000 cubic. About 20 percent of this is underutilized, Tompar said.

The potable water these companies will supply capitalizes on desalination technology sourced from sea and brackish water in Cebu.

Both Mactan Rock and PWRI have a total number of 10 desalination plants installed in different sites in Metro Cebu.

“The Philippines has a lot of water sources, aside from huge river banks,” pointed out Tompar.

“Even stored rain water can be converted into purified fresh water that is safe for human consumption.”

At present, export and manufacturing firms located at Mactan Export Zones 1 and 2, as well as several resorts on Mactan Island have already taken advantage of the desalination technology.

“Commercial and industrial sectors can afford to source the desalination process. This is very important so that the Philippines will not be known as a country with a severe water supply problem,” said Tompar.

He reiterated that the issue on water supply shortage is not a problem that could affect the attractiveness of Cebu to foreign investors since there is technology available that allows an abundant water supply for both residential and corporate requirements despite the El Niño.

The desalination technology, considered an expensive way of sourcing water in the past has now become relatively affordable as a result of modern, improved equipment consuming less power consumption.

“Unlike electricity, basic water necessity should not become a problem in any locality,” Tompar said.