Capitol exec still hopeful bulk water project would push through amid rift

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz remains optimistic that the PHP1.1-billion bulk water project of the Negros Occidental provincial government will push through despite ongoing opposition from officials in Silay City.

Diaz said the provincial government will continue to negotiate with the Silay City government, expressing hope that “through constant dialogue, we can come up with a good solution sooner or later.”

Silay City Mayor Joedith Gallego has remained firm in his stance against tapping two rivers in the city for the bulk water project.

The Silay City Council has also withheld the issuance of a Resolution of No Objection (RONO) for the project.

Gallego argued that extracting water from the city’s rivers could reduce the supply available for residents and farmers.

“If water is extracted from the Imbang and Hinalinan Rivers, what will happen to our residents who depend on these rivers for their livestock, which will have nothing left to drink when the rivers run dry?” Gallego asked.

He earlier proposed sourcing water from the Malogo River in EB Magalona as an alternative.

“We cannot impose our views or priorities on local governments. We are supposed to be a big brother to them,” Diaz said.

He added, “But at the same time, we ask for trust because the project was based on national and international studies. Water is beyond politics.”

Diaz said the bulk water project is part of the Provincial Integrated Water Security Plan, which anticipates “water stress” in Negros Occidental by 2030, based on projections from the Philippine Water Supply and Sanitation Master Plan.

He noted that the Imbang River, a key source for the project, has a water capacity of about 400 million liters per day (MLD).

The province intends to draw only 24 MLD, while the Silay City Water District has expressed interest in sourcing at least 5 MLD to address its local shortage.

Originally planned as a public-private partnership, the project will now be fully funded by the provincial government using its savings following several bidding postponements and eventual failure of bidding.

The lone bidder was a consortium composed of First Balfour Inc., part of the Lopez Group of Companies; Victorias Milling Company; and FPIP Utilities Inc.

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the consortium’s proposed water rate of PHP24 per cubic meter was too high and not acceptable to the intended water takers.

He added that he remains hopeful Silay City will eventually give its consent.

Lacson reiterated that the project will stay on hold until Silay grants approval.

However, he emphasized, “We cannot keep it on hold indefinitely — we will eventually have to decide whether to scrap it or channel the funds to other projects.”