Eleven firms joined the pre-bid conference for the P1.2 billion Negros Occidental Bulk Water Supply Project at the Social Hall of the provincial Capitol in Bacolod City on Wednesday, February 7.
The bulk water project aims to meet the increasing water demands of Negros Occidental by utilizing surface water sources, and reducing reliance on groundwater and deep wells, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said.
It is targeted to serve the water needs of Bacolod, Talisay, Silay and Victorias cities, and the towns of EB Magalona and Manapla.
The 11 firms bought pre-bid documents worth P150,000 each. If they meet the project’s requirements and qualify, they can join the actual bidding on June 27, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said.
The 11 Negros Occidental Bulk Water Supply Project proponents are Manila Water Philippine Ventures Inc., Balibago Waterworks System Inc., First Balfour Inc., Prime Water Resources Inc., Bw Water Inc., Aboitiz Infracapital Inc., Primewater Infrastructure Corp., MacroAsia Properties Development Corporation, Maynilad Water Services Inc., San Miguel Holdings Corp. and M.E. Sicat Construction Inc.
The signing of the joint venture agreement between the provincial government and the winning bidder is targeted for early September.
The Pre-Bid Conference was held to provide potential bidders with information on the project requirements and clarification regarding the upcoming bidding process.
To qualify to bid, interested firms must have already had a bulk water project that produces at least 20 million liters of water per day, Lacson said.
Lacson stressed the need to tap surface water for the project “because the sugar industry in Negros Occidental has been using ground water for centuries”.
The USAID Safe Water is saying that the ground water supply is already at a critical level, he said.
“We should start already making use of surface water, which we have been throwing away for centuries,” Lacson said.*