By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD City – Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa) General Manager Mona Dia Jardin said the water supply needs of its consumers is immediate and cannot wait for the bulk water project of the provincial government of Negros Occidental.
Jardin said that they need additional water supply this year but the bulk water project of the provincial government is viable in 3 to 4 years yet.
“We cannot afford to wait for four years, our need is immediate, so may ara na kami nakit-an,” she added.
Jardin clarified that as much as they want to work with the provincial government, they have to consider first the welfare of the consumers.
She said they already closed deals with three bulk water suppliers, one of which will supply 10-15 million liters per day starting this year.
Currently, Jardin said that the water supply in the city is short by 15-20 million liters per day but this will be addressed starting this year.
“We will already have substantial water until 2025,” she stressed.
Earlier, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said that the provincial government will proceed with its bulk water project even if the Baciwa does not avail of its supply.
“The bulk water project being pushed by the province will be implementable maybe three years from now so Baciwa thinks three years from now they will have enough water, I guess that is why they don’t want to join. Baciwa’s not joining the project may affect it, but there are other options and we will just have to rethink what to do,” Lacson said.
Aboitiz InfraCapital is proposing a P2.8-billion bulk water supply joint venture project with the Negros Occidental and Bacolod City governments
It is expected to submit its unsolicited proposal before the end of the month, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said.
Diaz said he is disappointed with Baciwa who earlier said it would avail of water from the bulk water project of the province, but until now has not stated how much it will need.
“They are playing hardball and we will not wait for Baciwa, we will focus on Silay, Talisay first and then the other local governments will follow,” he added.
