• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
After failing to secure an endorsement from officials in Silay City for its proposed P1.2-billion bulk water supply project, the provincial government of Negros Occidental is now eyeing the Malogo River in E.B. Magalona town as the new primary water source for the project.
If approved and becomes operational, the project is expected to supply water to the municipalities of E.B. Magalona and Manapla, and Victorias City through their respective water districts.
The proposed project seeks to extract 16 million liters per day (MLD) from the Malogo River.
Following the rejection of the project in Silay City, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson expressed plans to downsize the P1.2-billion undertaking, limiting its coverage to only three local government units instead of the originally planned six.
The bulk water supply project aims to address the increasing water demand in Negros Occidental by tapping surface water as a sustainable source of potable water. Provincial government officials said the initiative is expected to improve water resilience, reduce dependence on groundwater and deep wells, and support environmental sustainability and climate resiliency goals.
As part of the requirements for the issuance of an environmental compliance certificate, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) conducted a public consultation on May 20 in Barangay San Isidro to discuss environmental safeguards and gather feedback from residents, local government units, non-government organizations, and environmental groups.
During the consultation, E.B. Magalona Vice Mayor Marvin Malacon said several questions raised by stakeholders remained unanswered, noting that only the technical personnel attended the dialogue.
Malacon proposed another public consultation at the town plaza, where provincial government representatives and other officials could directly address concerns regarding the advantages and possible disadvantages of the project.
“As to the stand of Saraviahanons on the project, we will heed whatever the majority wants,” Malacon said.
He stressed the need for transparency and acknowledged the potential benefits of the project to residents of E.B. Magalona.
Among the concerns raised during the consultation were the possible impact of the project during periods of water scarcity and issues related to future expansion plans.
EMB-Negros Island Region Director Vicente Losbañes said technical studies commissioned by the provincial government showed that drawing 16 MLD from the Malogo River would not adversely affect local farmers or agricultural activities.
Losbañes said the proposed extraction volume is within the sustainable capacity of the river and would not lower water levels to the point of disrupting irrigation or other farming needs.
“The volume of water being planned for extraction will not drain the river,” he said.
Losbañes noted that the consultation held Wednesday was only the initial stage in the processing of the proposed project, adding that more public hearings and information sessions will be conducted in the coming weeks. | GB
