• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Silay City Vice Mayor Thomas Maynard Ledesma has strongly debunked claims that politics is behind their opposition to the P1.2-billion bulk water supply project of the provincial government of Negros Occidental.
“We are not against this. We just need to be clarified,” Ledesma said, pointing out that the project will be under contract for 38 years.
He said that “they are supportive to Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and everything,” but stressed that their duty is also about the welfare of Silaynons.
An official statement issued by members of the Silay City Council, stated that “(a)s representatives of the people of Silay, we are duty-bound to extend with utmost diligence, all efforts needed to make the most beneficial decisions to protect the welfare of our people and our city”.
This is “without giving consideration to politics or political influence when our judgments require the enactment of legislative measures for the deliverance of our constituents from the harmful effects of natural or man-made calamities and disasters”.
Ledesma said they were not aware of the consultations about the project before, adding that they were not privy to the project.
Before the scheduled bidding of the proposed bulk water project next month, there had been a thorough study, series of discussions, consultations with stakeholders and even holding of water summit, according to the provincial government.
The municipalities of Manapla and E.B. Magalona, and the cities of Victorias, Talisay, and Bacolod have already issued a resolution of no objection (RONO) for the provincial government to push through with the bulk water project.
The surface water of the Imbang and Malogo rivers that are to be tapped by the proposed bulk water project passes through the local government units of Victorias E.B. Magalona, Talisay and Silay.
Ledesma said they are still waiting for the RONO from the barangays, where the Hawaiian-Philippine Company sugar central is located, which also uses the Imbang river water, including Kapitan Ramon and Guimbalaon, before they will take action on it.
The City Council further stated that they wanted to be clarified if the bulk water project will affect the commercial establishments and factories, agricultural sector, livelihood programs, existing Vivant hydropower plant, as well as its possible impact to the environment in Silay.
The Silay City Council also wants the expert opinions of the Departments of Environment and Natural Resources and Agriculture, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council on the possible hazards, effects and problems the project might bring to the city and its people.
Silay City Mayor Joedith Gallego earlier disclosed that even sugar planters are opposing to the bulk water project.
Ledesma said they were also told by the Silay City Water District that they have enough supply of water as they fear that water rates may go up, if the project pushes through.
Lacson earlier said that all the stakeholders including the concerned localities and its officials, “have been informed and invited to participate in all the activities and processes related to the project.”
He added that the provincial government will proceed with the bidding for the bulk water supply project. | GB
