PrimeWater settles unpaid bills, Bacolod water shortage averted

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY — Bacolod Bulk Water Inc. (BBWI) confirmed on Friday that PrimeWater–Bacolod City has fully settled its outstanding obligations, averting a potential water service disruption and assuring residents that water supply in the city will remain uninterrupted.

The announcement followed BBWI’s earlier public advisory warning of a possible water service interruption starting Tuesday, December 16, 2025, due to PrimeWater’s failure to pay for months of bulk water supply.

BBWI had initially scheduled disconnection for December 12 but granted a final extension until December 15 to allow time for payment and community preparations.

In a December 13 statement, BBWI confirmed that PrimeWater completed the payment as promised, ensuring continued bulk water supply and steady operations.

“Normal operations will continue to ensure uninterrupted water service across Bacolod,” BBWI said, emphasizing that the company’s top priority remains the welfare of the community.

BBWI also acknowledged the timely intervention of the Bacolod City Government, the Bacolod City Water District (BACIWA) Board of Directors, and Bacolod City lone district Representative Albee Benitez in facilitating a swift resolution.

The company, which provides a significant portion of Bacolod’s water supply, reiterated its commitment to reliable, safe, and continuous water delivery.

Benitez separately confirmed to the public that PrimeWater had committed to settle the full amount by noon on December 13, thereby preventing any disruption in water services.

He said his office maintained close coordination with Mayor Greg Gasataya, the Sangguniang Panlungsod, BACIWA, BBWI, and PrimeWater to ensure that such an issue does not happen again.

“At least 40 percent of BACIWA–PrimeWater’s water supply is sourced from BBWI’s treatment facilities,” Benitez said, referring to the Granada Water Treatment Facility in Barangay Granada, Bacolod City, and the Sum-Ag Water Treatment Plant in Barangay Salvacion, Murcia.

Benitez also urged BACIWA to explore all legal remedies to protect the public interest and maintain stable water service, while advising all stakeholders to be cautious in issuing public statements to avoid unnecessary alarm.

The Bacolod City Government, for its part, stressed that it will continue to safeguard public welfare and ensure that the interests of Bacolodnons are not compromised by lapses in contract compliance.

“Hand in hand, we can all work things out together for Bacolod,” the city said in a statement.

BBWI thanked the public for its patience and expressed optimism that similar issues will be avoided in the future through prompt fulfillment of contractual obligations.