Lawmaker calles for action on Bacolod water shortage

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Bacolod Rep. Alfredo “Albee” Benitez has urged Baciwa-PrimeWater to take all necessary steps now to prevent the city’s worsening water depletion from reaching crisis levels.

“Whatever contingencies and strategies that must be employed should be employed now,” Benitez said, stressing that the utility has a responsibility to ensure adequate water supply for Bacolod residents who pay for its services.

Benitez said the declining water supply could affect households, communities, schools, offices, livelihoods, businesses, health and food security.

Mayor Greg Gasataya recently met with PrimeWater officials and called for immediate solutions to the city’s water supply problems as the dry season continues.

City officials said supply from Bacolod Bulk Water Inc. in the northern part of Bacolod had dropped from 24 million liters per day to 16 million liters per day.

The drop prompted Gasataya to direct the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office to prepare water tanks and deploy water trucks for rationing in areas with limited or no access to water.

PrimeWater also reported that its overall production capacity had fallen from 100 million liters per day to 87 million liters per day.

Further reductions are expected in the coming days because of the prolonged dry spell.

Benitez said his office would coordinate with all relevant stakeholders to stay on top of the situation.

“The problem should have been addressed from the beginning,” he added.

He also urged Bacolod residents to use water responsibly.

Baciwa, or the Bacolod City Water District, operates a joint venture with PrimeWater to provide water service in the city.