• CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
It’s about time that all 60 water service providers in the country taken over by PrimeWater, which include the Bacolod City Water District, should be investigated, Water Watch Advocates convenor Wennie Sancho said during the celebration of consumers’ solidarity day in Bacolod City yesterday.
Sancho said the order by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to have these water service providers investigated is an indication that the government is listening to the complaints and gripes of water consumers. The President may have seen the inconvenience and suffering of the consumers all over the country. “So, I hope immediate action will be taken in order to appease the sentiments of the consumers.”
He also wants the 25-year joint venture agreement between Baciwa and Prime Water nullified and have the consumers decide through a plebiscite what action should be done, adding that if he were to rate the performance of Baciwa on a scale of 1 to 10, he would give it a score of 2 to 3.
Sancho’s statement vehemently condemned the blatant dereliction of duty by Baciwa Prime Water and the local government of Bacolod City in addressing turbid water and the water shortage crisis in the city.
“We accuse Baciwa PrimeWater and the Bacolod City local government of dereliction of duty in ensuring access to clean, safe, and reliable water; neglecting citizens’ welfare and prioritizing political interests; and for failing to provide transparency and accountability in water management,” he said.
The Joint Venture Agreement between Baciwa and PrimeWater was not submitted to a referendum despite involving public welfare, Sancho said.
The celebration of the consumers’ solidarity day yesterday was sponsored by the Alliance of Concerned Consumers in Electricity and Social Services (ACCESS).*
