Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez has formed a task force to fast-track efforts for the energization of the Matab-ang River water supply project in neighboring Talisay City to address water shortage in some areas of Bacolod City.
“The urgency and collaboration among stakeholders are important. The task force will expedite the processing of requirements for the energization of the Matab-ang River,” the mayor said in a statement on Monday, April 14.
The Matab-ang River Surface Water Supply and Filtration Project involves the construction of an intake structure that will serve as the collection point for the water supply to be injected into the pipelines of Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa)-PrimeWater.
While the power supply connection is still being processed with the Negros Electric and Power Corp., the initial project energization through a generator set is expected this week, the city government said in a report.
The additional water supply will benefit several areas, including Barangay Villamonte (areas in La Salle and Villa Angela), Barangay Estefania (Capitol Heights and Greensville), Barangays 27, 28, and 30, and Megaworld area.
As of April 10, Baciwa-PrimeWater water production is only at 78.78 million liters per day (MLD), from 83.30 MLD in March due to low surface water supply delivery of Bacolod Bulk Water Inc. as a result of the prolonged hot weather.
“Service providers must be held accountable and must act with urgency in meeting the basic needs of the people, especially when it comes to access to clean and reliable water,” Benitez said.
Meantime, Benitez said the city government continues to deploy water trucks to ease the impact of limited water access in some barangays.
Experiencing low water supply are certain areas in the villages of Mansilingan, Taculing, Villamonte, Estefania, Alijis, Felisa, Tangub, Handumanan, Cabug and Barangay 30.
Based on the city’s water availability map as of March 24, only 47.45 percent of Bacolod has a 24-hour water supply, while the average number of hours when water is available in the city is 19.11 hours.*PNA