• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz yesterday clarified that there is no awarding yet for the winning bidder of the P1.2 billion Bulk Water Project of the Negros Occidental provincial government.
Diaz said that the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) is still conducting the post-qualification review of the documents submitted by the consortium of First Balfour Inc. with its local partner Victorias Milling Company.
While the company has a good track record, Diaz said they need to personally inspect its performance in its past projects.
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 consortium submitted a bid of P24 per cubic meter.
Diaz said that they will also consult the different water districts and consumers if the rate the bidder is proposing is affordable.
He also confirmed that the Commission on Elections has approved the exemption of the Capitol Bulk Water project from the election ban.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson earlier said that the construction of the bulk water project is expected to start next year.
About 100 million liters per day (MLD) will be sourced from the Malogo River, and around 34 to 36 MLD will also be generated from the Imbang River, Provincial Government Focal Person for Public Private Partnership projects, Atty. Jessa Genteroles, disclosed earlier.
The construction period of the bulk water project is expected to be completed within three years.*
