OCEANAGOLD (Philippines) Inc. (OGP) has turned over a water system to the residents of Didipio, the company said on Wednesday.
Turned over on Oct. 9 through the Didipio barangay local government unit, the P115-million Didipio water system aims to strengthen long-term water security and climate resilience in the community while ensuring reliable access to clean and safe water for present and future generations.
Sourced from Napagayan Creek within the Napagayan Watershed, the Didipio water system produces an average of 850,000 liters of treated water per day for domestic use and is designed to serve up to 1,500 households.
Didipio’s population has more than tripled from around 1,350 residents in 2000 to approximately 5,000 in 2025, driving increased demand for water for households, agriculture, and other community needs.
“Access to treated water is fundamental to community health and well-being, water security, and climate resilience. Through this project, we are helping ensure that the people of Didipio have a dependable water source that supports both current needs and future growth," OGP President and General Manager Joan Adaci-Cattiling said.
The water system project includes a 7-kilometer transmission pipeline, a water treatment facility, and a 35,000-liter reservoir that distributes water through a gravity-fed network.
The project was also informed by an independent study conducted by the University of the Philippines’ Geoscience Foundation Inc. (GFI), which found that while the Didipio Mine’s water sourcing and usage did not affect community water sources, residents had expressed concerns about long-term water access for household and livelihood needs.
“This project translates GFI’s recommendations into concrete action. Independent science helped us better understand the community’s water situation, and from there, we worked with our partners to develop infrastructure that strengthens access while protecting the water source for the long term,” Adaci-Cattiling said.
Didipio Water Service Cooperative (Diwaseco) will assume responsibility for operating and managing the system by overseeing day-to-day operations, maintenance and administration of the facility.
“With continued technical support and capacity-building assistance during the transition period, Diwaseco is committed to ensuring that this system continues to provide safe and reliable water service to the people of Didipio for many years to come," said Engr. Nestor Gayamo Jr., barangay council member and community focal person for the water system.
To support the transition, OGP will fund Diwaseco’s startup operational and technical requirements and capacity-building assistance until December 2027 to strengthen the cooperative’s capability to independently operate and maintain the system.
Based on OGP's current projections, the Didipio water system is expected to support the community’s water requirements for up to 50 years.
OGP shares on Wednesday rose P0.50, or 1.47 percent, to close at P34.50 each.
