Silay City residents are against the Negros Occidental bulk water project’s availing of water from the Imbang River, Silay Mayor Joedith Gallego said on Friday, June 21
“That is also my position”, he said.
He also said if the bulk water project gets its supply from the Malogo River it should not be in the area where irrigation water is sourced.
The Silay Sangguniang Panlungsod has yet to decide on the provincial government’s request for a Resolution of No Objection to the bulk water project.
Jessa Genteroles, focal person for Public, Private Partnership Projects of Negros Occidental, said it is legally viable for the bulk water project to proceed even without the Silay RONO.
But we are eager to get the RONO because we want the project to proceed smoothly, Genteroles said.
Imbang River has enough water for the bulk water project as shown in a certificate of water availability issued by the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) to the provincial government, she said.
The certificate of water availability from the NWRB assures that Silay has enough supply for the bulk water project without compromising the needs of its residents, she added.
The Silay City Water District had signed a memorandum of understanding with the provincial government indicating that they will source water from the bulk water project, Genteroles said.
The provincial government is set to hold the bidding for its bulk water project on June 27.*