• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
As the bidding for the P1.2-billion bulk water supply project of the Negros Occidental provincial government was moved to Nov. 22, Provincial Legal Officer Alberto Nellas Jr. said on Monday, Oct. 14, that the number of bidders further increased from 10 to 12.
“It is more than enough already for a usual PPP (public-private partnership) project,” Nellas said.
He explained that the postponement was requested by one of the bidders, who wants to formulate the best possible amount for the bidding.
The Negros Occidental Bulk Water Supply Project (NBWSP) o lolinvolves the financing, engineering design, construction, operation, and maintenance of a bulk water supply system with a minimum capacity of 34.5 million liters/day (MLD) to be sourced from the Imbang River and/or Malogo River.
It is expected to supply treated bulk water to six water service providers in the cities of Bacolod, Silay, Talisay, and Victorias, and the municipalities of Manapla and E.B. Magalona.
Among the six local government units, only Silay City has not issued a resolution of no objection to the proposed project.
Despite the postponement of the bidding for the third time, Nellas said they are still within schedule of the project, which shall be implemented through a joint venture agreement with the provincial government for a period of 38 years, inclusive of the construction period.
He added that the bidding will either be held at the Capitol Social Hall, or the Negros Residences, which will be attended by representatives of the bidding companies, members of the technical working group and members of the media. | GB
