Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Wednesday, Feb. 18, that he respects the decision of the Silay Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) denying the provincial government’s request for a Resolution of No Objection (RONO) for its proposed ₱1.2 billion Negros Occidental Bulk Water Supply Project.
Lacson said he has no “hard feelings” following the Silay SP’s decision.
The provincial government may scrap the bulk water project entirely or proceed with one on a smaller scale, he said.
They are not considering asking for a reconsideration from the Silay SP, Lacson said.
“We are still thinking on whether to continue on a smaller scale,” he said.
The Silay City Sangguniang Panlungsod has officially denied the provincial government’s request for a RONO for the bulk water project, Silay City Vice Mayor Tom Ledesma said.
The decision effectively halts the provincial plan to source surface water from the Hinalinan/Imbang River located in Barangay Guimbala-on.
Ledesma said the SP resolution denying the RONO is without prejudice to the application of the same request for another river system within the jurisdiction of Silay.
He noted that the main reason for the denial of the RONO is that Barangays Guimbalaon and Bagtic, which would be affected by the project, passed resolutions disapproving the initiative.
However, Silay Mayor Joedith Gallego is amenable to the use of the Malogo River—located between Silay City and E.B. Magalona—for the bulk water project instead, Ledesma said.
He believes a RONO will be granted if it is for the use of the Malogo River, Ledesma added.
The denial was formalized through an SP resolution moved by Councilor Michael S. Maravilla and unanimously seconded by the council members present.
The SP stated that the provincial proposal failed to provide concrete details on water pricing, distribution structures, and guaranteed benefits for the host communities.
The council also raised serious concerns regarding the long-term environmental sustainability of the Imbang River system, pointing to unresolved risks involving watershed protection and the potential ecological impact on the surrounding areas.
The ₱1.2-billion project, a flagship initiative of Lacson, was designed to address a projected water crisis by shifting the province from groundwater to surface water sources.*
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