WITCO on Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project Incident

The management of WITCO Construction & Development Corporation (WCDC) is deeply saddened by the tragic incident last April 21, 2023 involving four (4) of our workers conducting internal pipeline cleaning activities in Barangay Buhangin, Proper for the Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project (DCBWSP).

Three (3) were rushed to the hospital by the Davao City 911 rescue team after experiencing difficulty in breathing. One was retrieved inside the pipeline by emergency personnel but unfortunately was pronounced dead upon arrival at the Southern Philippines Medical Center due to suffocation. An investigation was immediately conducted to understand how this had happened, to determine those responsible and to provide immediate solutions to prevent a similar incident. Meanwhile, our Project Engineer and Safety officer supervising the activity when the incident happened have been suspended and have been permanently pulled out from the project. Should there be any finding of negligence on the part of our supervising and safety officers on-site, our company will take full responsibility. We have started to undertake a comprehensive re-orientation among our project leads and workers to ensure strict compliance to Occupational Safety and Health Standards, retraining of all our manpower and reinforcing full compliance to the work permit system, among others. We have reached out to the affected workers as well as to the family of the deceased and have started to provide them with the needed medical and financial support. The safety lapses that have been identified in our investigation are now being addressed. In the meantime, all works related to the DCBWSP have been temporarily suspended until such time that we are able to fully implement corrective measures. WCDC is committed to do all that is necessary to ensure that this incident will never happen again. Our sincere apologies to all those who have been affected by this regretful incident”.

Apo Agua Statement on Pipeline Incident

"It is with deep regret that we confirm the untimely death of our Contractor’s worker following an incident at the site last Friday, April 21, 2023."

WITCO Construction & Development Corporation, one of the contractors for the Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project reported to us that four (4) workers conducting internal cleaning inside a pipeline in Barangay Buhangin Proper had difficulty breathing. Davao City 911 and the Barangay Buhangin Proper Community Emergency Response Team were immediately called for rescue and promptly pulled out three (3) workers from the pipeline and are now in stable condition. The remaining worker was later retrieved by an emergency crew and brought to Southern Philippines Medical Center but was unfortunately pronounced dead due to suffocation. We are cooperating with authorities to investigate the matter further as workplace safety is something we take very seriously. We extend our heartfelt condolences and prayers to the family and loved ones of the deceased in this difficult time. About the Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project (DCBWSP) The Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project of the Davao City Water District (DCWD) is one of the country’s largest bulk water supply infrastructure projects that will shift Davao City's dependence from groundwater wells as its main water supply to the more sustainably-sourced surface water from the Tamugan River. The DCBWSP involves two components: Part A component is handled by Apo Agua Infrastructura Inc (Apo Agua) that involves the construction of Raw Water Intake facilities, Water Treatment Plant, and Treated Water Pipelines; Part B is being handled by the DCWD, involves the tapping and interconnecting of pipes, installation of reservoirs and laying of distribution lines. The distribution of water to the consumers will remain solely with DCWD. ###

Apo Agua Fast Tracks Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project

Apo Agua fast tracks Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project
Water delivery to DCWD targeted by first quarter of 2023

With Apo Agua Infrastructura, Inc. (Apo Agua) taking over and ramping up works for the construction of the P12-billion Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project (DCBWSP), Davao residents are expected to benefit from a new and sustainable water source by the first quarter of 2023. The DCBWSP of Davao City Water District (DCWD) is the first of its kind in the country. It is designed to follow the water-energy nexus concept, where renewable energy will be generated through an integrated hydroelectric power plant. With this state-of-the-art landmark project, Davao City will now have access to both surface water from the Tamugan river, and its current ground well sources. The DCBWSP encountered setbacks during the pandemic, compounded by other internal contributing factors. However, Apo Agua’s timely intervention by taking control over the construction activities was necessary to mitigate the effects of these. “Despite on-going difficulties in the transition, the project has resumed construction across civil, mechanical, and electrical works in all areas, including road restoration along the Treated Water Pipeline. We have spent the last month completing the takeover of the works from our previous contractor, gaining possession of critical materials and equipment, and mobilizing key construction contractors on site,” said Apo Agua President Anna Lu. Apo Agua has mobilized multiple seasoned contractors and works are expected to be at full capacity by October 2022. “The project is being fast-tracked by hiring a team of experienced construction management professionals. In addition to this, various contractors with credible track records in bulk water facilities and large-scale complex projects have been engaged in order to implement as many parallel activities as possible,” Lu said. Testing and commissioning to ensure water quality will be conducted simultaneously with the construction works to further expedite the project’s completion. A thorough test of every piece of equipment is required to ensure their durability and longevity in the provision of safe drinking water throughout its expected operation of about 30 years. Supply in District II will be significantly augmented by the DCBWSP which will deliver over two-thirds of its production to DCWD reservoirs in the area. Delivery of water to DCWD is expected to start in the first quarter of 2023 at Tugbok, subject to their acceptance, and will progressively ramp up to Cabantian, Mandug, Calinan, Talandang, Indangan, Panacan, and Dumoy, by the second quarter of 2023.