By Glazyl M. Jopson
BACOLOD CITY – The city government has called for the formation of a task force to fast-track the energization of the Matab-ang River Surface Water Supply and Filtration Project.
Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez met with officials of the Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa) and PrimeWater at the City Mayor’s Office on Friday, April 11, to discuss immediate and long-term solutions to the city’s water supply issues.
Baciwa-PrimeWater reported that as of April 10, the city’s water production reached 78.78 million liters per day, up from 69.96 million liters per day during the same period last year.
Benitez previously said Bacolod’s normal water supply is 84 million liters per day.
Officials noted that the significant difference in surface water provided by Bacolod Bulk Water Inc. from March to April in both 2024 and 2025 was due to low surface water supply.
The Matab-ang River injection is expected to be energized this week using a generator set to help augment the city’s water supply.
If successful, the project will benefit several areas in Bacolod, including Villamonte (La Salle area), Estefania (Capitol Heights and Greensville), Villa Angela, the Megaworld area, and Barangays 27, 28, and 30.
Benitez stressed the urgency of collaboration among stakeholders to address the ongoing water challenges.
To ease the effects of limited access in some barangays, the city government has deployed water tanks to areas including Mansilingan, Taculing, Villamonte, Estefania, Alijis, Barangay 30, Felisa, Tangub, Handumanan, and Cabug.
The mayor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring that public utilities meet their responsibilities in providing essential services.
He also emphasized the need to hold service providers accountable and urged them to respond promptly to ensure access to clean and reliable water.
