Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Sunday, March 24, that a private group’s tapping water from the Matab-ang River to address Bacolod City’s supply shortage will not have any adverse effect on the Negros Occidental provincial government’s planned bulk water project.
Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez earlier said that a private group has expressed interest in constructing the Matab-ang River water supply and filtration facility targeted to draw 20 MLD (million liters per day) of water to be delivered to Baciwa-PrimeWater.
Benitez said he is waiting for the private firm to submit its letter of intent.
“It will not have any adverse effect on our Bulk Water Project. Baciwa needs a lot of water in the future, as well as in the present,” Lacson said.
“Bacolod is in a water crisis, hence they would need immediate solutions, the provincial bulk water project is a long term solution for Bacolod,“ the governor said.
Eleven firms joined the pre-bid conference for the P1.2 billion Negros Occidental Bulk Water Supply Project in February.
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, 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 actual bidding for the project is set on June 27.*