• THERESA MAE DULMAN
Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya asserted that the Bacolod City Water District (BACIWA) board of directors holds the sole responsibility for monitoring and ensuring PrimeWater’s compliance with their joint venture agreement (JVA).
Gasataya’s statement comes amid ongoing issues regarding PrimeWater’s contract compliance and in light of the reports that it has been sold.
He said that once the takeover is finalized, they will meet jointly with the water district and with the new owner, as their primary concern is to improve the delivery of water services in the city.
Meanwhile, the mayor also clarified that the JVA exists strictly between BACIWA and PrimeWater. Therefore, the city government is not a party to the contract and cannot intervene directly in its enforcement.
In a media interview, Gasataya said that the city government’s role is strictly limited to assisting the public, particularly when there are problems with water supply, and not to take over the BACIWA Board’s duties.
“In the first place, as a board of directors, that is your primary obligation, to ensure that the JVA is followed. If there were lapses with the PrimeWater in the past, why didn’t you act on it?” he said.
The mayor revealed that the former general manager of BACIWA reported violations as early as March, yet the board allegedly failed to act on them.
He stated that ensuring the JVA’s fulfillment is the Board’s obligation and should not be passed on to the city government.*
