• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Despite differences in opinion regarding the P1.1 billion Bulk Water Supply Project, the Negros Occidental provincial government will continue to negotiate with the Silay City government, Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz II disclosed on Wednesday.
“I hope through constant dialogue, we can come up with a good solution, sooner or later,” Diaz said.
Silay City Mayor Joedith Gallego has expressed his opposition to the granting of a Resolution of No Objection (RONO) to the Negros Occidental provincial government’s bulk water supply project.
Gallego has maintained that drawing water from the rivers of Silay would endanger the supply needed by the city’s residents and farmers.
We cannot impose our views, or priorities on people or LGUs, despite the fact that we are the province. We’re supposed to be a big brother to them. They should also trust and look to us, to take care of their needs, Diaz said.
Gallego has suggested that the provincial government get its water supply from the Malogo River, instead of the rivers of Silay City.
Diaz stressed that the Bulk Water Project was a product of national and international studies, which also led to the establishment of the Provincial Integrated Water Security Plan, aimed at ensuring adequate potable water supply in the future.
Even the Silay City Water District (SICIWA) expressed its intention to enter into a contract with the provincial government, to get 5MLD (Million Liters per Day), as they also confront the problem of lack of water supply, Diaz said.
We will give it to them, he further said.
The Negros Occidental provincial government, according to Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, is only asking for 24MLD for its Bulk Water Project, noting that the Imbang River has a capacity of about 400MLD.
By 2030, Negros Occidental will experience “water stress,” based on the Philippine Water Supply and Sanitation Master Plan.
Asked if there is politics in the opposition to granting of RONO, Diaz said “water is beyond politics.”
Lacson did not support Gallego during the May 12 elections.
Aside from Silay, the bulk water project is expected to provide water supply to cities of Talisay, Bacolod and even E.B. Magalona, at a price of P14 per MLD, Diaz said.*
