The opening of bids for the bulk water project of the Bacolod City Water District will take place today at the Business Inn in Bacolod City, despite oppositions from various consumer groups and the City Council.

The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod, Utilities Consumers Alliance Negros, Water Watch and the Metro Bacolod Consumers Forum asked Baciwa to hold in abeyance the bidding for the bulk water project pending public consultations.

The SP members unanimously passed a resolution expressing their apprehension over the project and asked Baciwa to suspend the July 1 and 2 scheduled opening of bids and to conduct a comprehensive study.

Water Watch also asked the SP Committee on Environment headed by Councilor Alex Paglumotan to hold in abeyance the bidding for bulk water project pending identification of the spring sources in the city as claimed by Baciwa.

Baciwa interim general manager Mario Macatangay said Baciwa can no longer postpone the bidding since they are constrained by the provision of R.A. 9184 of the Government Procurement Law.

Councilor Wilson Gamboa Jr. said the Baciwa officials made a presentation of the bulk water project before the Bacolod City Water Council yesterday, as well as answered queries related to the program.

Gamboa yesterday asked Baciwa officials to make an appearance before the City Council to clarify the matter and to come up with a massive information campaign so the general public will be informed about the project.

Paglumotan said Councilor Archie Baribar has suggested that the SP create a special committee led by the Committee on Energy that will study and explore the things being asked by Wennie Sancho, Water Watch secretary general, that there are many water sources in Alangilan and Granada.

In his letter dated June 29, to Paglumotan, Sancho said they vehemently oppose the bulk water project as this will lead to the privatization of Baciwa.

Gamboa said that based on the presentation of Baciwa yesterday, the bulk water supply is still the most reasonable and the most practical, with regards to the prevailing issues, unless there are other groups who could present alternative options. They need to hear them but they could not delay the opening of bids.

If this will be delayed, Baciwa will be in violation of the procurement law, he said.

Gamboa clarified that the position of the councilors is not against the bulk water project. Most of them are just not aware of the issue.

Jenelyn Gemora, Baciwa assistant general manager for operations, said Bacolod has an average supply of 63,000 cubic meters per day and their average effective supply, net of non-revenue water, is 42,000 cubic meters per day. So, they can no longer meet the average daily and maximum demand, much more the peak demand.

They have 60 communities to serve equivalent to 18, 267 households and that Barangays Bata,  Banago,  Mandalagan,  Villamonte,  26,  27, 28, 29, 30, Lopez Jaena,  Taculing,  Tangub,  Etefania, Granada,  Alangilan,  Handumanan  and Felisa  suffer from low water supply, she said.

Gemora said they will be adding four additional wells in the city and still the water supply will not be enough for the existing needs of its people.*CGS

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