The bid submission deadline for the Negros Occidental Bulk Water Supply Project (NBWSP) has again been moved from November to December, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said on Monday, Nov. 18.
The PPP (public-private partnership) Center asked for the final extension for the submission of documents to Dec. 11, he said.
The NBWSP is targeted to supply treated bulk water to service providers in the cities of Silay, Talisay, Victorias and Bacolod, and the municipalities of E.B. Magalona and Manapla.
“The provincial government would like to assure all stakeholders that we are not just here to take water, we are here to develop a water security plan that includes water resource management to secure watershed areas,” Diaz said.
The distribution of water that is potable is another aspect of the project, he said, stressing that the extraction of water from river sources will be done in a responsible matter.
They will aim to increase the dependable flow of the rivers by replanting endemic trees, Diaz added.
The project aims to tap water from the Imbang River in Silay City, and the Malogo River in the Silay City and EB Magalona area.
The Silay City Sangguniang Panlungsod has yet to issue a Resolution of No Objection to the bulk water project.
The Silay City Water District that is supporting the project may organize a dialog with the city government if they need any clarification, Diaz said.
SICIWA has no sure source of potable water in the future to distribute to the residents of Silay that is why it is in favor of the bulk water project, Diaz said.
The bidding for the bulk water project was initially set for July and postponed to October, November, and to December.*