Mayor firm against Capitol plan to tap Silay rivers for bulk water

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – Silay City Mayor Joedith Gallego remains firm against the provincial government’s proposal to tap local rivers as the source of its PHP1.1 billion bulk water project.

On his social media page, Gallego issued a strong appeal against drawing water from the Imbang and Hinalinan Rivers, citing risks to residents, farmers, fisherfolk, and livestock raisers in Silay.

He recalled the city’s experience during last year’s El Niño, when water tankers had to supply residents of Barangay Guimbalaon after wells dried up and river flow drastically declined.

“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 added: “What will happen to our brothers and sisters who rely on fishing for food, and to our farmers and planters whose crops depend on irrigation during the dry season?”

Gallego urged project proponents to consider the Malogo River in EB Magalona town, which he said has a larger water volume that could meet demand without threatening livelihoods.

“Regret always comes in the end. This is my earnest appeal to all Silaynons—let us protect our rivers, our farms, our food, and our future,” Gallego said.

Despite renewed efforts to push the project, Negros Occidental officials admitted it remains stalled as the Silay City government continues to withhold approval.

Earlier, Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said the project would not proceed until Silay agrees to allow water sourcing from its rivers.

“We have not given up hope. We are trying to reach out to Silay because it could even be the biggest beneficiary of this project,” Lacson said.

He said the province is offering Silay the option to set its daily water requirement, promising to supply it from harvested resources.

He noted that the Silay water source has an estimated capacity of 400 million liters per day, but the project would only extract 24 to 26 million liters—about 6 percent of the total.

“It’s not a huge share, but as a growing city, we must ensure we have the utilities to support development, especially water,” Lacson said.

The governor confirmed the purchase of a one-hectare lot for the project.

“That area is the most feasible, which is why we are pushing for it. Unfortunately, without Silay’s approval, we cannot proceed,” he said.

When asked whether the project could be scrapped or relocated, Lacson admitted it may not push through.

“Our source is in Silay—it’s the closest to Talisay and Bacolod. If Silay says no, most likely it won’t happen,” he said.

Lacson dismissed political motives behind Silay’s opposition but acknowledged the city may feel the project does not benefit them since they currently have sufficient water.

“But we are not only thinking of today; we are thinking of the future,” he said, warning that water scarcity is expected to worsen with climate change.

Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz echoed the concern.

“We will keep on writing to them, hoping for a positive response,” he said.

He added: “We cannot underestimate the looming water crisis. Scientists are telling us that fresh water will become a very scarce resource in a few years. We need to be ready and resilient as a province.”

Lacson reiterated that the bulk water project will remain on hold until Silay consents.