Present during the ceremonial turnover of Apo Agua’s donation were (from left to right) Aboitiz InfraCapital Reputation Management Manager Aldwin Dumago, Tambobong Brgy. Capt. Exequil Salandao, Apo Agua President Anna Lu, Tambobong NHS Principal Robert G. Quibete, 3rd District Councilors Hon. Antoinette G. Principe-Castrodes and Hon. Alberto Ungab, DCWD Community Relations and External Affairs Department Manager Ruth Jabines, Apo Agua Operations Head Shake A. Tuason, and Justin Vivo, CSR Officer of J.V. Angeles Construction Corp.
Fortifying its commitment to support its host communities, Apo Agua Infrastructura, Inc. (Apo Agua), together with Davao City Water District (DCWD), recently turned over its donation of rainwater catchment and handwashing facility to Tambobong National High School (TNHS) in the third district of Davao City.
A joint venture company between Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc. and J.V. Angeles Construction Corporation (JVACC), Apo Agua is undertaking Part A of DCWD’s Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project (DCBWSP). Part A involves the construction of intake facilities, a water treatment facility, and treated water pipelines. Once operational, the project will deliver at least 300 million liters of treated water per day to DCWD for the benefit of more than one million Davaoeños.
Through Aboitiz Foundation, Apo Agua contributed to the improvement of the school’s roof gutters that serve as rainwater catchment systems. The water from the roof catchment then goes to water tanks that store the rainwater, before it can be used through the handwashing facility.
This contribution complements DCWD’s efforts to provide short-term and long-term access to Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene facilities to all schools and communities in the city.
(From left) Apo Agua Operations Head Shake A. Tuason, Tambobong National High School Principal Robert G. Quibete, and 3rd District Councilor Hon. Antoinette “Petite” G. Principe-Castrodes try out the newly-installed handwashing facility.
“Apo Agua is very much committed to delivering water to Davaoeños, including residents of our partner communities who will not directly benefit from the Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project, which includes Barangay Tambobong. We are doing this first here in Tambobong National High School to see how effective this system can be. We hope we will be able to replicate this project in other areas as well,” said Apo Agua President Anna Victoria Lu.
“We hope that with this facility, we are able to teach our students and the residents not just about protecting our watersheds, but how to conserve and recycle water as well,” she added.
For his part, Tambobong National High School Principal Robert G. Quibete said that while it’s not the full scale solution, the facility could be the starting point for a more long-term access to water.
“We are thankful because this project is not really a 100% solution, but it could bring a big help for us. We, Tambobong National High School, assure you that we will take good care of this facility,” he said.
The handwashing facility also supports the city government’s efforts to help curb the spread of COVID-19 in communities they serve.
Third District Councilors Hon. Alberto Ungab and Hon. Antoinette “Petite” G. Principe-Castrodes also expressed their thanks to Aboitiz Foundation and Apo Agua for donating the facility when the community needs it the most.
“Access to safe water is a basic right of every human being. Today, in this time of the pandemic, the ability to access and use clean water anytime and anywhere has been more urgent and needed. Every person, especially the vulnerable sectors such as women and children, should have ready access to clean water,” said Hon. Principe-Castrodes.
“I was elated to hear that Aboitiz Foundation, Apo Agua, and JVACC have collaborated to bring safe water to Tambobong National High School. The water supply system and handwashing facility are expected to benefit not only the school, but also the families and the communities in the immediate area,” she added.
