• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson announced yesterday that the investors’ forum for the P2 billion bulk water project of the provincial government will be held by the end of July.
Lacson said they are waiting for the final report and the template of bidding documents by the Capitol’s partner Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center.
Four potential investors, including Aboitiz InfraCapital, Suez Water Technologies, Manila Water and San Miguel Corporation have earlier signified interest in the bulk water project.
Lacson, however said he is still not sure if the interested investors will show up during the forum.
He also said that the Bacolod City Water District (BACIWA) has not formally submitted a letter of intent to the provincial government, on whether they will participate in the project.
The provincial government is proposing a public-private partnership (PPP) scheme wherein it would enter into a joint venture agreement with a private investor to fund the P1.2 billion project, and it would allocate P100 million from the province.
The Capitol bulk water project, which will be undertaken under a Joint Venture Agreement, intends to tap the surface water of the Embang and Malogo rivers in the 3rd district of Negros Occidental.
It is targeted to serve the needs of the cities of Bacolod, Talisay, Silay and Victorias, along with the towns of EB Magalona and Manapla.*
