- CHERYL G. CRUZ
Bacolod Councilor Claudio Jesus “Kalaw” Puentevella said Wednesday, Jan. 25, that he will call for a public hearing soon to discuss the concerns raised by Amlig Tubig, an alliance of concerned water consumers in the city, on the operations and Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) of the Baciwa and PrimeWater.
The councilor’s decision stemmed from a letter signed by Amlig Tubig convenors Fr. Chris Gonzales, Wilson Gamboa Jr., Leny Espina, and Lordgelyn Alpers, and addressed to him as chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Energy and Public Utilities.
The convenors said that there have been complaints from consumers of dirty water coming out of their faucets.
They added that they have not received any update from the Bacolod City Water District on the Prime Water’s JVA implementation and accomplishments, particularly on its proposed development programs.
“We have not received any report from PrimeWater as to the performance of service obligations,” the group said, adding that this is specified in the Reporting Obligations of PrimeWater as per its JVA with Baciwa.
Councilor Renecito Novero, at the SP session, said that City Health Office officials should also be present at the public hearing, after it reported that one of the water sources in Bacolod was found positive for e-coli and coliform bacteria, but which was denied by the Baciwa-PrimeWater.
He also urged his colleagues to attend the hearing so that all their concerns could be raised and discussed./CGC
