Calumpit water district opens modern pumping station

Calumpit, Bulacan -From a small water district, 25 years ago, with only 400 clients or ;;ervice connectors, the Calumpit Water District (CWD) has come of age as it celebrated Monday (October 17) its silver anniversary marked by the inauguration of its modern 9th pumping station which look more like a resort than anything else.

Administrator Lorenzo H. Jamora commended the officers and staff of CWD led by Engr.Efren Z. Red, general manager; and Board Chairman Arthur M. Carlos for their achievement in making their fIrm the 4th water district in the entire country to fully serve its authorized service area consisting of 29 barangays.

J amora said that L WUA records show the CWD was established in 1982 with a P250,000 financial assistance from the water agency and another P800,000 loan in 1986. Thereafter, the Calumpit Water District have undertaken expansion and modernization projects using its own resources.

From the initial 400 clients, the water district now serves close to 15,000 residential and corporate concessionaires. The 9th and most modern pumping station inaugurated Monday was self-financed at a cost ofP7.1 million. The air-conditioned pumping station in Barangay Calizon is located on a 1,500 square-meter lot which include an executive building with rooftop and a swimming pool. The pumping station is capable of supplying 162 cubic meters ofwater per hour.

The L WUA administrator assured the CWD officials and personnel that the water agency is always ready to provide not only financial help but technical assistance in their continuing effort to modernize and improve its services. He said that with an efficient water supply system, Calu~pit will have a decisive edge in attracting more investors than other areas with unpredictable supply of clean and potable water.

For his part, Engr. Red also informed Jamora and guests led by Calumpit Mayor James de Jesus and Vice Mayor Alner Lim-Ranola that the CWD is not only focused on service improvement but in environmental protection and redevelopment. He said that the water district has a continuing program called "Lingap sa Kalikasan" which involves continuous tree planting activities and cleanliness drive.

Engr. Red thanked LWUA and the people ofCalumpit for their continued support that made the water district a successful undertaking. It only had a handful of employees when it started in 1982. He add~d that at present the CWD has 58 regular employees and 30 contractual workers.

Two of its pioneer employees were given awards and citations for 25 years of service to the CWD. They were Rebecca B. Nabong, administrative chief; and Ernesto S. Santos, chief, engineering and operations division.

Three others were also given citations. They were Lucia G. Parayno, Ernesto B. Balmaceda, for 20 years in service; and Jehan T. Banag for 10 years of service. c