• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
There is no stopping the provincial government of Negros Occidental from pursuing its bulk water supply project amid the opposition from members of the Silay City Council and a group of sugar planters as confirmed by Mayor Joedith Gallego.
“We have already decided that we can tap that (water) sources,” Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Thursday (May 16).
The Imbang and Malogo rivers pass through the local government units of Victorias City, E.B. Magalona and Talisay City aside from Silay City.
Lacson said that it was not just a sudden decision, referring to the bulk water supply project, adding that it has undergone a study for several years.
“We can’t depend on underground water anymore. Let us make use of our surface water,” he said.
“These two rivers that we will tap are really a good sources for surface water. In fact, there are other rivers in Negros Occidental, that hopefully in the future, we can also tap, especially if it will become economically feasible,” Lacson added.
While he is not personally against the project, Gallego said that those opposing it expressed fears of water shortage once it pushes through.
He noted that the Hawaiian-Philippine Company sugar mill is also using the water from Imbang River, aside from the irrigation dam, which is now experiencing limited supply of water.
Moreover, Lacson said: “We will do everything possible to make it happen, especially our bidding for the bulk water supply. Silay is also one the recipients of water, with Bacolod City as the biggest consumer. Silay is in the loop, as those who can avail of the surface water project.”
The bidding for the proposed P1.2-billion Negros Occidental Bulk Water Supply Project has been scheduled next month.
Some 11 firms bought bid documents during the pre-bid conference conducted by the provincial government in partnership with the Public-Private Partnership Center and the Asian Development Bank.
The firms that bought bid documents include the Manila Water Philippine Ventures Inc., Balibago Waterworks System Inc., First Balfour Inc., PrimeWater Resources Inc., BW Water Inc., Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc., PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp., MacroAsia Properties Development Corp., Maynilad Water Services Inc., San Miguel Holdings Corp., and ME Sicat Construction Inc. | GB
