Water system produces 850,000 liters of water daily, designed to serve up to 1,500 households
DIDIPIO, Nueva Vizcaya – OceanaGold (Philippines), Inc. (OGP or the Company) has officially turned over the ₱115-million Didipio Water System to the Didipio community through the Barangay Local Government Unit (BLGU), strengthening long-term water security and climate resilience 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, nearly twice Barangay Didipio’s current 860 households, providing capacity to support the community’s continued growth.
The project includes a seven-kilometer transmission pipeline, a water treatment facility, and a 35,000-liter reservoir that distributes water through a gravity-fed network. Based on current projections, the water system is expected to support the community’s water requirements for up to 50 years.
“The population of Didipio has grown significantly over the years and so has the demand for reliable access to water for domestic use,” said Atty. Joan D. Adaci-Cattiling, President and General Manager for External Affairs and Social Performance of OceanaGold Philippines.
“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.”
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. The new system helps address this demand while securing a more reliable water supply for the years ahead.
Community-led management
Following the turnover, the Didipio Water Service Cooperative (DIWASECO) will assume responsibility for operating and managing the system.
Composed entirely of Didipio residents, DIWASECO will oversee the day-to-day operations, maintenance, and administration of the facility. The cooperative’s locally hired workforce reinforces community ownership and stewardship of this vital infrastructure.
“We are grateful to OceanaGold for responding to the community’s need for a sustainable and reliable water source and for entrusting its management to local stakeholders. The Company has delivered beyond what was committed initially” said Engr. Nestor Gayamo, Jr., Barangay Council Member and community focal person for the water system.
“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.”
To support the transition, OGP will fund the start-up operational and technical requirements and capacity-building assistance to DIWASECO until December 2027, helping strengthen the cooperative’s capability to independently operate and maintain the system.
As part of the turnover arrangement, the Barangay Local Government Unit is expected to enact an ordinance declaring the Napagayan Watershed a protected area. The measure will help safeguard the water source by restricting activities that may affect its long-term sustainability and the community’s future water security.
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 do not affect community water sources, residents had expressed concerns about long-term waster access for household and livelihood needs.
In response, GFI recommended measures to ensure the availability of treated water and support sustainable water resource management within the community.
“This project translates GFI’s recommendations into concrete action. Independent science helped us better understand the community’s water situation, and form there, we worked with our partners to develop infrastructure that strengthens access while protecting the water source for the long term,” Adaci-Cattiling said.
The Didipio Water System is one of OGP’s commitments to its host community, reflecting the Company’s continued investment in initiatives that improve access to essential services and help build sustainable, resilient and self-reliant communities.
More than an infrastructure project, the turnover represents a shared commitment among OGP, the Barangay Local Government Unit, DIWASECO, and the people of Didipio to responsibly manage and protect a vital resource. With the system now under community stewardship, Didipio is better positioned to strengthen its water security and climate resilience for generations to come.
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ABOUT OCEANAGOLD (PHILIPPINES), INC.
OceanaGold (Philippines) Inc., a corporation organized and existing under Philippine law, operates the Didipio gold-copper mine in Luzon under a Financial or Technical Assistance Agreement. The Company is committed to safely and responsibly maximizing the generation of Free Cash Flow from its operation and delivering strong returns for its shareholders. With stock symbol “OGP,” it is a listed company on the main board of the Philippine Stock Exchange.
For media and investor concerns, please contact:
Marjorie Idio
Manager-Communications
(E) marjorie.idio@oceanagold.com
(M) +63 917 581 8561
