• RICHARD T. CABALLERO JR.
In relation to the recent statement of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during his 4th State of the Nation Address (SONA) that the Local Water Utilities Administration is taking steps to end the sloppy service of water districts, the Bacolod City Water District (BACIWA) Employees Union will be sending a letter to the PBBM to investigate the Prime-Water and BACIWA Joint Venture Agreement, the union disclosed yesterday.
The union urged the president to investigate what they claimed to be an anomalous and disadvantageous JVA between BACIWA and PrimeWater.
Regarding the president’s statement on the country’s water supply, the union said that the current water service provider of the city failed to serve the people and only cared for the flow of their profits.
They also urged the president to review the unjust termination of at least 400 BACIWA employees after the takeover of PrimeWater.
“The takeover resulted in the endless problem of water shortages and contaminated water supply to the people of Bacolod City and the unjust termination of the services of the employees,” the union stated in their letter addressed to PBBM.
Moreover, during the press conference, the union highlighted the inability of the current water provider to deliver 24/7 potable water across the city, while collecting millions from consumers.
A call for further investigation concerning the persons involved in JVA was also written in the same letter.
“We also demand the immediate takeover by the government through LWUA and the reinstatement of the 59 employees who were unjustly terminated to help restore potable water supply to the people,” the union said.
SP RESO
Meanwhile, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Bacolod City, unanimously approved yesterday the resolution authored by Councilor Caesar Distrito III which urgently requested PrimeWater to immediately address the complaints regarding the dark, smelly, and contaminated water coming out from the residents’ faucets.
The resolution came in response to a wave of complaints from residents across many areas of Bacolod, including Taculing, Singcang, Sum-ag, Mansilingan, Banago, Cabug, Pahanocoy, Tangub, Alijis, Bata, and almost all numbered barangays. Residents reported that the water from their faucets in recent days was dark-colored, foul-smelling, and potentially unsafe for use and consumption.
“This is no longer just a service issue—it is a public health concern,” said Distrito. “The people of Bacolod deserve safe, clean, and potable water. PrimeWater-BACIWA must immediately explain what caused this water contamination and what they are doing about it. The absence of clear communication and accountability is unacceptable.”
The entire City Council, led by Vice Mayor Claudio “Kalaw” Puentevella, also agreed to personally deliver the resolution to PrimeWater-BACIWA, upon the suggestion of Councilor Homer Bais, as a clear message of the Council’s seriousness and indignation over the deteriorating water service.
“We are united in this action because we are echoing the cries of our constituents,” said Puentevella. “By delivering this resolution ourselves, we are showing that the Sangguniang Panlungsod stands with the people. We want PrimeWater-BACIWA to see the faces behind this demand—and those faces are the people of Bacolod who have suffered long enough.”
The resolution further calls on PrimeWater-BACIWA to provide a full public report identifying the cause of the water quality issues, the barangays and households affected, the immediate safety and remedial measures taken, and the long-term solutions they are implementing to prevent this from happening again.
The delivery of the resolution is expected to take place within the week.
“This is not a political issue—it is a matter of public welfare and dignity,” added Distrito. “If they continue to ignore us, we will not stop raising our voices until the people of Bacolod are no longer forced to endure this kind of treatment from their water service provider.”
Another resolution was pushed by Bacolod City Councilor Roberto Rojas, urging the BACIWA and PrimeWater to prioritize and swiftly address the sufficiency and sustainability of clean water supply in the city.
The resolutions state that it was made after numerous residents and establishments expressed concerns over the insufficient water supply, interruptions, and the need for improved service delivery.*
