• THERESA MAE DULMAN
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau – Negros Island Region (EMB-NIR) has issued a cease, desist, and refrain the operations of the Bacolod Bulk Water Inc. (BBWI) expansion.
EMB-NIR Regional Director Vicente Losbañes said the order directs the company to stop the implementation and operation of its Water Supply Injection 2 Expansion Project or the Caliban River Water Intake Facility, until an amendment to its Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) application is approved.
“The issue stems from the fact that they currently hold an existing permit for the NWRB (National Water Resources Board) approximately 100 cubic meters per day and now they are seeking an additional 300 cubic meters per day, which necessitated an amendment to their ECC,” the regional director said.
Losbañes said the action followed a complaint and a resolution from Barangay Caliban, Murcia, Negros Occidental, alleging the project lacked legal authority, which triggered an investigation last October 15.
He noted that downstream residents have filed a formal petition against the capacity increase to 300 cubic meters, fearing the expansion will deplete the river’s water supply.
In addition to the work stoppage, the BBWI was ordered to pay a total reduced penalty of P70,000 for the violations of Presidential Decree No. 1586 or the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System.
The inspection confirmed that the company expanded its project without the amended ECC and failed to obtain a Discharge Permit and a Permit to Operate.
Although the respondent said that construction was driven by public necessity and that applications were pending, the bureau noted that operations had already commenced by November 2025 without the necessary permits in place.
Losbañes said the case will remain active until the company complies with all environmental regulations and pays the ordered amount.*
