Saturday, June 11, 2016
By
ERWIN P. NICAVERA
LOCAL business groups have asked the Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa) for an update on the status of its bulk water project amid pressing concerns on water shortage in the city.
In a letter dated June 9, a copy of which was obtained by Sun.Star Bacolod, Frank Carbon, regional governor of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) in Western Visayas and Negros Occidental, requested the Baciwa management through its general manager Mario Macatangay for a meeting with various local business groups.
Carbon said the business community wants to discuss with the water district matters pertaining to the supply contract, including the status of the Joint Venture Company, bank loan facility, supplier credit line agreement, performance bond, and status of water rights.
He further questioned whether Baciwa has already established a monitoring team for regular updating, and formulated an alternative plan when a problem occurs with the water supply agreement.
“The public, especially the business community, should know what is going on,” Carbon said, adding that the project involves and affects the whole community thus, it should not be left with Baciwa alone.
“If there are delays, how can we help, what should be done to catch up,” he added.
On March 22, Baciwa signed the P900-million, 25-year bulk water supply contract with a consortium composed of Mactan Rock Industries Inc., TGV Builders Inc., and Tubig Pilipinas Group Inc.
After the contract signing, Carbon said the water district has not provided any update on the status of the project.
The business leader said that currently, Baciwa can only deliver water to only 50 percent of its consumers.
Apart from addressing supply shortages by extending coverage up to 80 percent, the business sector believes that the bulk water supply project would also address water turbidity issues, Carbon reiterated.
“With the coming of big businesses like Ayala, Robinsons, City Mall and Megaworld, water supply in Bacolod will then be a bigger problem if without the bulk water project,” he said.
Moreover, business groups also raised concerns that without the bulk water project, Baciwa may resort to digging underground water sources, which are already in critical condition.
Since Bacolod City is situated near the coastal area, water sources are vulnerable to salt water intrusion, Carbon pointed out.
For the local business industry to continue growing, stable water supply is important.
“Poor water service discourages businesses and potential investors from coming in thus, initiatives on implementing immediate solutions should continue,” he added.
Published in the Sun.Star Bacolod newspaper on June 11, 2016.
