• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
As the bidding for the P1.2 billion bulk water project of the Negros Occidental provincial government was moved to November 22 this year, Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Alberto Nellas Jr. disclosed on Monday that the number of bidders further increased from 10 to 12.
That number of bidders is more than enough already for a usual PPP (Public Private Partnership) project, Nella said.
He also explained that the postponement was requested by one of the bidders, who wants to formulate the best possible amount for the bidding in the Capitol Bulk Water Project.
The Negros Occidental Bulk Water Supply Project (NBWSP) involves the financing, engineering design, construction, operation, and maintenance of a bulk water supply system with a minimum capacity of 34.5 million liters/day (MLD), to be sourced from the Imbang River and/or Malogo River.
It is expected to supply treated bulk water to six water service providers in the Negros Occidental in the cities of Bacolod, Silay, Talisay, and Victorias, and the municipalities of Manapla and EB Magalona.
The municipalities of Manapla and E.B. Magalona, cities of Victorias, Talisay and the highly urbanized city of Bacolod, have already issued a RONO (Resolution of No Objection) to the Capitol Bulk Water Project. Only Silay City has not issued a RONO.
Despite the postponement of bidding for the third time, Nellas said they are still on schedule for their timeline of the project, which shall be implemented through a joint venture agreement (JVA) with the provincial government for a period of 38 years, inclusive of the construction period.
He added that the bidding will either be held at the Provincial Capitol Social Hall, or the Negros Residences, to be attended by representatives of the biding companies, members of the technical working group, and members of the media.
This is the third time that the bidding for the P1.2 billion project has been postponed.
Based on the certificate of water availability issued by NWRB, about 100 million liters per day (MLD) will be sourced from the Malogo River, and 34 to 36 MLD will also be generated from the Imbang River, Provincial Government Focal Person for Public Private Partnership projects, Atty. Jessa Genteroles earlier disclosed.*