• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A local company based in Negros Occidental is among the bidders for the P1.2 billion bulk water project of the provincial government, disclosed Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson on Wednesday.
The bidding was moved to October 28, in compliance with the request of almost all bidders who wanted to come up with good proposals for the project, according to Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Alberto Nellas Jr.
“The interest is still there for bidders, one of them is a local company in Negros Occidental,” Lacson said.
A statement issued by the provincial government said they will still accommodate additional prospective bidders interested in the project.
In a press briefing, Lacson ruled out negotiations with Silay City officials, for the issuance of a RONO (Resolution Of No Objection) on the proposed project.
One of the sources of surface water to be tapped by the Capitol bulk water project will come from the Imbang River in Silay City.
“We are really gonna push it, even if they are not committed,” Lacson said, apparently referring to Silay City officials.
But as I said, nobody will be left behind. We will see to it that the populace of Silay, if they need it, will be able to tap the bulk water project, the governor said.
The local governments of highly urbanized Bacolod City, Talisay, E.B. Magalona, Victorias City, and Manapla, have already issued RONOs to the project.
Aside from the Imbang River, Lacson said there are other areas where they can tap surface water, such as the Malogo River, which is more than enough for their needed requirements.
The winning bidder will enter into a contractual joint venture (JV) with the provincial government of Negros Occidental to finance, design, construct, operate, and maintain a bulk water supply system that is intended to supply a minimum total of 34.5 million liters/day (MLD) of treated bulk water to six water service providers, including cities of Silay, Talisay, Bacolod, and Victorias, and the municipalities of E.B. Magalona and Manapla, a statement from the provincial government said.
The project is also aimed at providing Negrenses with clean, potable, and safe water through a sustainable and resilient bulk water supply system that will significantly reduce the province’s reliance on groundwater and use of deep wells.*
