The people of Bacolod City are fed up with the dismal failure of Baciwa PrimeWater to provide adequate and clean water supply, let alone its inefficient services, a press release from the convenor of Water Watch Advocates said.
Wennie Sancho claims that the recent Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) between Baciwa and PrimeWater has left many citizens feeling hoodwinked, as it was concluded without public consultation and participation.
The lack of transparency and accountability in the JVA process has raised serious concerns about the future of water services in Bacolod City. The people deserve better. They deserve a water utility that prioritizes their needs, provides clean and reliable water, and operates with transparency and accountability, his statement said.
Sancho said the unfulfilled promises of the JVA have led to numerous inconveniences and difficulties for the people of Bacolod City.
These include water shortages and rationing: Many households and businesses are forced to contend with intermittent water supply, disrupting daily life and economic activities; low water pressure: Residents struggle with low water pressure, making everyday tasks like bathing and washing clothes a challenge;
Unclean water: The water supplied is often not fit for consumption, posing health risks to the community; and increased costs: Despite promises of improved services, many households and businesses are still burdened with high water bills, without corresponding improvements in service quality.
These difficulties have become a daily reality for many in Bacolod City. The people are tired of being promised better services that never materialize. It’s time for Baciwa-PrimeWater to be held accountable for its failures and to prioritize the needs of the people it serves, Sancho added.
He is inviting consumers to “Join us in calling for reform and accountability in Baciwa Prime Water. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that our water utility serves the people, not just the interests of a few.”
“Let’s work towards a future where clean and reliable water is a reality for all citizens of Bacolod City. The pipedream of adequate water supply should become a tangible reality, not just a distant hope,” Sancho said.
The launch of the signature campaign will be today at 9:30 a.m. at meeting Room 3, second floor of Negros Residences (Formerly KADIWA) Bacolod City.*
