• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A local company based in Negros Occidental is among the bidders for the proposed P1.2-billion bulk water supply project of the provincial government, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Wednesday.
The bidding was moved to Oct. 28 in compliance with the request of almost all bidders, who wanted to come up with good proposals for the project, Provincial Legal Officer Alberto Nellas Jr. earlier said.
“The interest is still there for bidders, one of them is a local company in Negros Occidental,” Lacson said.
In a statement, the provincial government said they will still accommodate additional prospective bidders.
Lacson has ruled out a negotiation with Silay City officials for the issuance of a resolution of no objection (RONO) for the proposed project.
The Imbang River in Silay City is one of the sources of surface water to be tapped by the Capitol bulk water supply project.
“We will really going to push it, even if they are not committed,” Lacson said.
“But as I’ve said, nobody will be left behind. We will see to it that the populace of Silay, if they need it, will be able to tap the bulk water project,” he added.
The local governments of the highly- urbanized Bacolod City, Talisay City, Victorias City, E.B. Magalona and Manapla have already issued RONOs for the project.
Aside from Imbang River, they can also tap the surface water of the nearby Malogo River, which is more than enough for the needed requirement.
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 that is intended to supply a minimum total of 34.5 million liters/day (MLD) of treated bulk water to six water service providers.
The project also aims at providing Negrenses with clean, potable and safe water through a sustainable and resilient bulk water supply system that will significantly reduce the province’s reliance on ground water and use of deep wells. | GB
