By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental provincial administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz said Thursday that a letter of intent is needed from the Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa) if they want to join the bulk water project of the provincial government.
“I also heard verbally that they (Baciwa/Prime Water) have expressed interest in our bulk water project,” Diaz told reporters.
He said he considers this as a very good development, however, he advised the capitol’s representative that a letter of intent duly signed by the proper person with authority from the board of directors of Baciwa is needed “before we can even consider it official.”
Diaz said that if there is a letter of intent from Baciwa, then proper adjustments will be made.
For now, Diaz said that “our consultants are gearing up for the investors’ forum next month.”
He further said that he already held a series of meetings with interested bulk water project proponents from the private sector.
“Hopefully ang bulk water project natun madaun gid and if they (Baciwa/Prime Water) want to be part of it, it’s really a welcome development and we hope it will come to fruition with the official document.”
Diaz also said that the undertaking will be with the same group of companies that have expertise in bulk water project development and have a track record.
So far, three to four meetings already happened between these groups of companies and the provincial government.
Diaz said that there are many local governments who expressed interest in the bulk water project of the provincial government but for now he said the focus is on the third and fourth districts.
“Damo may interest pero ang aton focus diri lang anay sa third district including perhaps Manapla that is as far as we can go considering that our water source ari sa Malogo kag sa Imbang rivers in the area.”
He said Bago City and Pulupandan in the fourth districts are also interested.
Water districts from Talisay to Manapla submitted letters of intent with specific quantities and volumes of water.
Earlier, Diaz said that four investors have expressed their interest in the Bulk Water Project of the provincial government of Negros Occidental.
He stressed that with the looming food and water crisis, not only in the country but the whole world, Negros Occidental has to be in a better position to be prepared for any eventuality.
“Our strategy, regardless of what will happen in the world, as long as we take care of our people, their basic needs, we can prevail on whatever challenges we will see in the future,” Diaz stressed.
In a previous media interview, Baciwa General Manager Mona Dia Jardin said the water supply needs of its consumers is immediate and they 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.
