Hedcor welcomes Duterte’s move to amend city’s Watershed Code

Hedcor this week breathed a sigh of relief following the pronouncement of Davao City mayor Rodrigo Duterte that he will ask the City Council for the amendment of the city’s Watershed Code that could mark the end of the protracted deadlock between Hedcor and the Davao City Water District for the use of the Tamugan River.

The Watershed Code of Davao City prohibits the erection of any structure within the watershed areas of the city.

"We welcome the positive reaction to the new scheme we submitted a few weeks ago. Considering the finite water sources of the City, multi-use of the Tamugan River would be the most beneficial way forward for Davao City's consumers. We are aware of the Watershed Code of Davao and are confident both our projects will comply with its requirements,” Hedcor President and Chief Operating Officer Rene B. Ronquillo said in a statement.

Duterte ordered Hedcor and DCWD during the last Friday's meeting of the Davao City Peace and Order Council to “come into terms by March 20” and pledged to convince the Davao City Council for the immediate amendment of the city’s Watershed Code.

Hedcor wanted to harness the Tamugan River for its proposed Tamugan Hydropower Project while the water firm wanted to tap it as its surface water source.

For four years, Hedcor has been constantly communicating with DCWD towards a solution addressing their concerns. The goal is co-existence of the two projects: providing Davao City with potable water supply, and clean and renewable energy. Such win-win approach spells multiple benefits for the surrounding communities, and local and national governments.

To propel the city’s continued progress, Davao City can have both development projects: DCWD’s Surface Water Project and Hedcor’s Tamugan Hydropower Project.

Davao City need not choose between potable water or clean and renewable energy. The goal is not an either-or, because Dabawenyos can have both.

The proposal of Hedcor to co-exist with DCWD’s Surface Water Project consists of one hydropower plant located downstream of DCWD’s proposed infiltration gallery. (Karen Padawag, Corporate Communications, Hedor)