Digicast Negros

Bulk water project to continue even without BACIWA: Lacson

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Wednesday, February 8, that the Negros Occidental provincial government will proceed with its bulk water project even if the Bacolod City Water District (BACIWA) does not avail of its supply.

“The bulk water project being pushed by the province will be implementable maybe three years from now so if BACIWA thinks three years from now they will have enough water, I guess that is why they don’t want to join,” he said.

“BACIWA’s not joining the project may affect it, but there are other options and we will just have to rethink what to do”, he said.

Aboitiz InfraCapital that is proposing a P2.8 billion bulk water supply joint venture project with the Negros Occidental and Bacolod City governments is expected to submit its unsolicited proposal before the end of the month, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said on Tuesday.

He is disappointed with BACIWA that earlier said it would avail of water from the bulk water project of the province, but until now has not stated how much it will need, Diaz added.

“They are playing hardball and we will not wait for BACIWA, we will focus on Silay, Talisay first and then the other LGUS will follow,” he said.

“Whether or not Bacolod will join, we will continue because this is promise of Gov. Bong Lacson to Negros to come up with the first ever bulk water project,” he added.

According to USAID studies BACIWA has been in a water crisis for more than 20 years because of the number of households it cannot provide water to, which has resulted in residents availing of their supply from deep and shallow wells, Diaz said.*

Exit mobile version
Skip to toolbar