Petierre said Nerizza Berdin, a representative of the NWRB, had sought their assistance in sealing off water refilling stations and other establishments that get groundwater without securing a clearance from them.

The NWRB does not know the status of groundwater in Bacolod City because those who tap water do not have proper applications with the NWRB, he said.

Petierre said there are between 90 to 110 water refilling stations operating in Bacolod City and about 70 percent, or more, of these tap groundwater. He said he believes there could be more than 110 water refilling stations in the city since there are some who have not secured Mayor’s permits, he said.

There are establishments that have executed affidavit of undertaking but after paying the necessary fees to the Bacolod City Water District, they fail to process their applications with the NWRB, Petierre said.

So even the NWRB is at a loss on how many refilling stations that are tapping groundwater are operating in Bacolod City, he said. However, those tapping water from BACIWA are being monitored by the water district, he added.

Petierre said some of those water refilling stations were sealed off by the NWRB since they do not have applications from the Board.

The NWRB is making an assessment of the status of groundwater in Bacolod City, he said.

Petierre said this is the first time the NWRB came to Bacolod and the city government is working hand-in-hand with them.

Starting January, water refilling stations and other establishments including subdivisions, that tap groundwater, will be required to apply with the NWRB before securing or renewing their business permits, he said.

They will be given three to four months of undertaking and if they fail to apply with the NWRB after this period, the city will be forced to close down their business, he added.

Petierre said he will issue a warning to water refilling stations who refuse to accept the demand letter of the NWRB and were found to have no Mayor’s permits.

Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson said the Sangguniang had passed the Groundwater Ordinance, authored by Carlos Jose Lopez, which provides that all drillings should be cleared with the Permits and Licensing Division and the NWRB through BACIWA.

He said drilling should be regulated to prevent salt water intrusion.*CGS

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