Leveraging South Korea’s expertise in sustainable water management, a delegation from the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) recently visited Korea Water Resources Corp. (K-Water) in Hwaseong, South Korea, with the goal of replicating the company’s advanced water management systems in its properties in the Philippines.
The delegation, led by BCDA Chairperson Atty. Hilario B. Paredes and President and CEO Joshua M. Bingcang, toured K-Water’s state-of-the-art facilities for a benchmarking activity, gaining insights on the company’s smart water infrastructure, as well as best practices in water management and sewage monitoring.
The visit is in line with the BCDA’s goal to establish a holistic active conservation approach in the water resource management of New Clark City in Tarlac, Camp John Hay in Baguio City, and Poro Point in La Union. This will give way to the adoption of smart and sustainable solutions to address the water supply demand of locators and residents in these areas while reducing water loss, preserving watersheds, and promoting the responsible use of water resources.
“As a pioneer in innovative water management solutions, K-Water will play a vital role in shaping the future water infrastructure in the BCDA’s economic zones. This will allow us to integrate smart water technologies in our developments, enabling the BCDA to balance the need of our locators with our duty to preserve the environment,” said BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer Joshua M. Bingcang.
During the visit, K-water President Yoon Seok-dae reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to assist the BCDA in addressing growing water supply demand through sustainable water management solutions.
K-Water, a South Korean government agency specializing in national management of water source development, in July 2024 forged a partnership with the BCDA through the signing of two memoranda of understanding.
The company is currently conducting feasibility studies for the development of comprehensive water resource plans in New Clark City, Camp John Hay and Poro Point. This will include proposals to reduce water loss and ensure stable water supply through smart water network management and artificial intelligence-driven water purification plants.
Once realized, the project will benefit locators and residents of New Clark City, a modern metropolis envisioned to be the first smart, sustainable, and future-ready development in the country. The project will also provide the water requirements of businesses, tourists, and residents of Camp John Hay while preserving the integrity of the area’s forest watershed, which is known as the “last frontier” of Baguio’s vast forested area.
The system will also be replicated in the Poro Point Special Economic and Freeport Zone, a major transport and logistics hub in La Union that has its own airport and international seaport.
This initiative is in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, specifically No. 6 Clean Water and Sanitation, No. 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities, No. 12 Responsible Consumption and Production, and No. 13 Climate Action.