• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The provincial government of Negros Occidental is eyeing a rebidding of its P1.2- billion bulk water supply project, which was initially participated by a lone bidder, citing the high water tariff being asked per cubic meter.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Monday, June 2, that the problem with the initial bidding was the cost of water, which is too high, at P24 per cubic meter.
“Our takers are not amenable to that. We’re looking for ways to bring it down,” Lacson said.
The lone bidder was a consortium composed of First Balfour Inc., which forms part of the Lopez Group of Companies, Victorias Milling Co., and FPIP Utilities Inc.
Under the project, the winning bidder will enter into a contractual joint venture with the provincial government to finance, design, construct, operate and maintain a bulk water supply system with a minimum capacity of 34.5 million liters per day to be sourced from the Malogo and Imbang Rivers.
Lacson said the provincial government is willing to provide more equity, instead of P200 million, and asked the bidders to lower the selling price.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II earlier said the expectation was P14 per cubic meter, but the bidder offered P24 per cubic meter.
“Water security is really a concern. We hope to be able to convince bidders to bring down their cost of water,” Lacson said.
The bulk water project aims to supply to water to six service providers in the cities of Silay, Talisay, Victorias and Bacolod as well as the municipalities of E. B. Magalona and Manapla. | GB
