• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The provincial government of Negros Occidental has chosen to use its savings to fund its P1.1 billion bulk water project.
Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz II revealed on Tuesday that the provincial government will no longer pursue the Public Private Partnership (PPP) scheme to implement its mega infrastructure project which it hopes to realize within the administration of Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson.
The bidding for the bulk water supply project of the Negros Occidental provincial government was earlier declared by its Bid and Awards Committee (BAC) as a failure, where the bid of the lone bidder that participated faced issues of high water tariff.
Diaz said the fund for the first tranche of the project, which is P520 million, already has the approval of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Negros Occidental.
The first phase of the construction will start from the water intake point to the bulk water treatment facility located on a one hectare lot which was purchased by the provincial government, in Barangay Guimbalaon, Silay City.
“We are now trying to finish the Terms Of Reference (TOR) and all other financial and technical documents, so that we can start the bidding process for Phase 1 (of the project),” Diaz said
If all goes well, the bidding for Phase 1 may be held in October, he added.
The Negros Occidental provincial government is targeting to start the Phase 2 of the project, which will cost an additional P600 million, next year. It will cover the installation of conveyance pipes from the water treatment facility to the cities of Silay, Talisay, Bacolod, and even EB Magalona.
The provincial government and the lone bidder earlier failed to come to an agreement on the water tariff.
The problem with the results of the initial bidding, Lacson said, was the cost of water which was too high at P24 per cubic meter, stressing that the off-takers are not amenable to it.
The provincial government wanted the rate to go down to P14 per cubic meter, but the bidder was not amenable.
The high price of water tariff cannot be avoided if there is a partner, Diaz admitted.
With the project funded by the provincial government, he said the P14 per cubic meter price of water will be possible.
Diaz also said they are hoping to get a RONO (Resolution Of No Objection) from the Silay City government, including reclassification of the lot where the bulk water project is to be constructed, following a meeting with concerned local government officials and water district officials, who were updated on the proposed project.
“We are hoping and praying they see the importance of the project in the lives of their people,” Diaz said.
About 34.5 million liters per day is expected to be sourced from the Malogo and Imbang rivers, in cities of Victorias and Silay, by the bulk water treatment facility, according to the provincial government of Negros Occidental.*
