- GILBERT BAYORAN
It’s all systems go for the P1.2 billion bulk water project of the Negros Occidental provincial government.
Provincial Administrator, Atty. Rayfrando Diaz, said that Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson has approved the feasibility study on the project, funded by the Asian Development Bank through the Public Private Partnership Center, in tandem with the provincial government of Negros Occidental and the USAIDF Safe Water, during the June 19 presentation by the project consultants.
Diaz said there are four private companies interested in investing in the bulk water project, including Aboitiz, San Miguel Corporation, Maynilad Water, and Suez Water Technologies.
Following Lacson’s approval, Diaz said an investor forum will be held next month to be followed by the start of the bidding process, with evaluation and awarding of the project from August to November this year.
The bulk water project (BWP) aims to provide adequate and safe drinking water to several local government units, including Bacolod City, if its water district wants to avail of it. The other LGUs are the cities of Talisay, Silay, and Victorias, as well as the towns of EB Magalona and Manapla.
It will tap the surface waters of the Embang and Malogo rivers in the 3rd District of Negros Occidental.
Diaz said the Bacolod City Water District has yet to send a Letter of Intent, if it wants to avail of the Capitol BWP.
As to the site of the BWP plant, with an initial cost of P1.2 billion, he said the consultants recommended that this should be decided by the winning bidder based on its business plan.
“It will be a joint venture partnership between the investor and the provincial government, which will provide a P100-million equity,” Diaz said.
With equity and water rights, the provincial government will participate in the management of the bulk water project, he added.
The equity aims reduce the tariff for every cubic meter given to consumers, Diaz further said.
As recommended by the consultants, he said the provincial government prefers a joint venture partnership, rather than a public private partnership as it is faster, with more relaxed regulatory requirements.
He said the bulk water project has a 31 million liters per day capacity./GB
