The Bacolod City Water District assured on Thursday, May 1, that action is being taken to ensure that PrimeWater responds to the complaints of the Water Watch Advocates on turbid water and supply shortages.
BACIWA General Manager Mona Dia Jardin told DIGICAST NEGROS that they are monitoring PrimeWater’s moves to solve the water problem in Bacolod.
Water Watch Advocates, in a statement on Thursday, condemned the alleged dereliction of duty over turbid water and the water shortage crisis by BACIWA PrimeWater and the Bacolod City government.
“By ignoring our request for a public hearing and failing to address these critical issues, you have demonstrated a callous disregard for the well-being and rights of Bacolod City’s citizens”, Wennie Sancho, Water Watch Advocates convenor, said.
The group is demanding a public hearing for the prompt resolution of the turbid water and water shortage issues, and accountability for failure to serve citizens’ needs, he said.
Jardin said that due to the summer season PrimeWater has been delivering 77 to 78 million liters per day, which is lower than the usual 84MLD previously.
But she assured that PrimeWater is addressing the problem, like reactivating other wells and getting bulk water supply from Murcia, and Brgy. Matab-ang in Talisay City.
Jardin said that they are in constant communication with Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and the barangays that are directly affected by the situation.
Among the barangays affected are Mansilingan, Handumanan, Felisa, Cabug, Alijis, Tangub, Estefania, and 30 where they have designated water tankers to address needs, she said.
Jardin also said that they are open to a dialog with the Water Watch Advocates, but she has yet to receive the letter from the group.
They are doing everything they can to address the problem and to ultimately attain the goal of delivering 100MLD in Bacolod, she said.*