June 23, 2026 – The Rainwater Harvesting Facility construction project at the Buyog Watershed located at Lower Quirino Hill and Pinget barangays will undergo a rebidding process after the termination of its previous contractor, according to the City Engineering Office.
The contract for the project covering the initial phase with a budget allocation of P50 million under the national government’s Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) was terminated on April 15, 2026.
City Engineer Richard Lardizabal said the project is currently undergoing Technical Working Group (TWG) pre-evaluation. Pre-bid conference for the remaining works was held on June 11, 2026 while the opening of bids was scheduled on June 25, 2026.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong earlier said the project encountered several challenges due to difficult terrain and unstable soil conditions that were found to be more complex than initially expected.
At present, about 30 percent of the project has been completed. Despite the setbacks, the mayor said the quality of work remains satisfactory due to close monitoring by the CEO and the Baguio Water District.
The mayor said that once completed, the facility will serve as a rainwater catchment basin capable of storing up to 7,000 cubic meters of water. The project is expected to help address water supply concerns in the Pinget and Quirino Hill areas, particularly during the dry season.
Baguio Water District General Manager Salvador Royeca said the project aims to augment existing water sources, improve system resilience and promote sustainable water resource management amid increasing demand, climate change and rapid urbanization.
He said the Buyog facility will collect rainwater, convey it to storage tanks and treat it to meet the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water.
Royeca noted that the facility will primarily be used during the dry months to lower operational costs and improve water distribution efficiency. It will also help mitigate stormwater runoff and localized flooding during heavy rains and typhoons, giving the project a dual purpose. ** Aileen P. Refuerzo
