• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Benitez stressed March 2 the “critical need for strict safety protocols” to prevent incidents like the pipe breakage that flooded parts of Barangay Mansilingan around noon March 1.
The Bacolod Bulk Water Inc. (BBWI), which extended its apology to affected households, said the pipe breakage within the vicinity of the ground reservoir of the Bacolod Water District in the barangay occurred during the chlorination and disinfection process of its 800mm transmission lines.
“We are fully committed to compensating for any damages caused by this event, including the cleaning of the affected areas,” BBWI chairman Ryan Yap said in a statement as he took full responsibility for what had happened and reached out directly to the affected households.
Benitez said the pipe breakage inundated Ging and Raymundo streets, as well as 6th Road and Hermelinda Homes in the barangay.
“We acknowledge BBWI’s swift response to the incident (and its) immediate action in addressing the situation, taking full responsibility, and committing to compensate affected households,” the mayor said.
As the bulk water supplier of Baciwa-PrimeWater, BBWI plays a vital role in ensuring a stable and reliable water supply for Bacolod, Benitez said. “(But) while we recognize their efforts to expand and enhance water delivery, we must emphasize the critical need for strict safety protocols to prevent such incidents in the future.”
He said the city will closely monitor the situation to ensure that necessary measures are implemented, accountability is upheld, and residents receive uninterrupted access to clean and safe water.
Yap said the chlorination and disinfection of its transmission lines are part of BBWI’s efforts to deliver an additional 10-25 MLD (million liters per day) of water supply to benefit the Bacolodnons. | CGC
