- GILBERT BAYORAN
With many investors interested in the bulk water project of the Negros Occidental provincial government, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said Tuesday, Feb. 20, they are planning to hold an investors’ forum by June this year.
Among those that expressed interest in investing in the bulk water project are the Aboitiz Infra Capital, a company owned by business tycoon Enrique Razon, and the Ayala Group, Diaz said.
“With the way things are going on, where everybody is excited, as many have expressed interest in submitting their unsolicited proposals for the project, I have requested our consultants to expedite the procedures,” he added.
Diaz said they are now studying the Terms of Reference, with the help of their consultants.
He added that they are looking at the legality and financial viability of the project, specifically the possibility of not increasing the tariff rates.
“We want to hold a bidding for the project earlier than the schedule in July,” Diaz said.
“In the long run, the people of local government units, who will get water from our project, will also be happy,” he added.
Diaz also revealed that the congressional districts are willing to provide counterpart for the project since the province is looking at ways to lower the capital expenditure (CAPEX), so that it will only have lower costs to recover from the tariff.
“This project is for the Negrenses not to suffer from the high cost of their utilities,” Diaz said.
He added that the provincial government does not want private interest “to dominate the contract for the bulk water project.”
Public interest should always be considered, especially in the rates, Diaz further said./GB
