THE DAVAO City Bulk Water Supply Project (DCBWSP), a public-private partnership (PPP) between Aboitiz InfraCapital Water (AIC Water)’s subsidiary Apo Agua and the Davao City Water District (DCWD), was recently highlighted as a model for advancing water security during the Cebu Investment and Entrepreneurship Summit held on June 4 at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Cebu City, as part of Cebu Business Month 2026.
In his plenary speech during the event, AIC Vice President and Head of Water Business, Eduardo ‘Dudes’ Aboitiz, said that the DCBWSP provides Davao City with 300 million liters per day (MLD) of safe and potable water through DCWD, benefiting more than one million Davaoeños.
“Sari-sari store owners say they can now grow their businesses without relying on expensive water deliveries or spending time fetching water from communal sources,” Aboitiz said.
The Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project augments DCWD’s water supply, enabling the water district to expand its operations and coverage area. This led to an increase in the number of businesses and housing developments in Davao City, contributing to more economic opportunities for Davaoeños.
In an independent study by the Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU), the DCBWSP contributed more than PHP 15.5 billion worth of investments in the city. It also generated PHP 1.1 billion gross revenue and contributions to Davao City’s gross regional domestic product in 2024.
The DCBWSP supports DCWD’s conjunctive use strategy, where surface water from Apo Agua complements existing groundwater sources to ensure supply reliability and redundancy. This is especially important during El Niño, which can bring long dry periods and lead to water shortages.
Recognizing the role of public-private partnerships in advancing water security, Aboitiz referenced the DCBWSP in discussing how PPPs can support water resilience in Cebu.
“Building Cebu’s water security cannot be done overnight. It requires long-term planning and foresight. To achieve this, we should continue embracing PPPs as a framework to develop critical infrastructure and attract investment,” Aboitiz said.
Organized by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry as part of Cebu Business Month, the Cebu Investment and Entrepreneurship Summit brought together investors, business leaders, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to discuss opportunities and solutions that advance Cebu’s economy.
