BACOLOD City Lone District Rep. Albee Benitez has often romanticized his vision of making Bacolod a “super city.” In his State of the City Address (SOCA) on July 10, he once again made that aspiration the centerpiece of his speech. While the dream may be inching closer, it still appears far from reality when viewed from all angles.
Enter Bacolod Councilor Wilson “Jun” Gamboa Jr.
Gamboa counters the “super city” narrative by highlighting what he calls the city’s water insecurity. According to him, Bacolod’s water problem is no longer merely perennial — it has become chronic.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the United States and the University of the Philippines identify four pillars of water security: availability, accessibility, quality, and stability.
Availability refers to having sufficient water resources. Accessibility means water is physically and economically within reach. Quality ensures that water is safe for human consumption, while stability means access to a reliable and consistent supply. Unfortunately, Bacolod has yet to fully experience these four essential pillars.
‘SILENT DISASTER’
For Gamboa, who has long championed the “Bantay Tubig” advocacy, water insecurity in Bacolod is a “silent disaster” that the city has failed to address for many years.
Even the takeover of the Bacolod City Water District (BACIWA) by the Villar-owned PrimeWater through a 25-year joint venture agreement that began in 2020 has failed to cure the worsening water crisis. In fact, Gamboa believes it has only made matters worse.
He pointed to the daily flood of complaints posted by netizens on Facebook, where frustrated consumers continue to criticize what they describe as PrimeWater-BACIWA’s poor service.
PrimeWater-BACIWA, however, appears unfazed by the constant barrage of complaints from its consumers.
‘VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS’
Gamboa’s advocacy for water security has made him something of a lone wolf in the City Council — a true “voice in the wilderness.”
To many of his colleagues, his ideas appear unpopular and are often ignored. Toink!
Still, Gamboa refuses to stop speaking out. He continues to raise public awareness about water insecurity, hoping that one day his position will finally gain wider appreciation.
Indeed, he deserves to be regarded as a true “water warrior.”
The question is: Does Gamboa’s fight for water security carry weight?
Spend time talking to him and listen carefully to his arguments, and you may find yourself impressed by the depth of his perspective.
FAR FROM A SOLUTION YET
Yes, Gamboa is right: water is life.
But why do the majority of his colleagues seem unwilling to listen to him or craft meaningful measures that could help address Bacolod’s water insecurity?
It cannot be denied that many appear content to simply “go with the flow” — not literally about water, but politically. No further explanation is needed.
But what about the city’s water crisis?
It remains far from being solved.
Do some councilors at least feel a sense of guilt?
That is a sharp question — one that, so far, remains unanswered.
Viewed in context, water insecurity has become one of Bacolod’s most pressing concerns. Water shortages occur from time to time, and every news report about the city’s water crisis leaves a negative impression not only on residents but also on prospective investors.
Reliable water supply is among the top considerations when establishing a business. Whenever reports about Bacolod’s water problems dominate the news, Gamboa’s warnings inevitably come to mind.
WORDS DON’T MAKE FLOUR
Question: Where is Crystal Bridges?
Last year, Rep. Albee announced that Crystal Bridge Holding Corp., owned by retail magnate Lucio Co, had acquired the Villar family’s PrimeWater.
That announcement gave Bacolod residents hope that water services would finally improve.
However, since the takeover was announced in December 2025, nothing substantial has happened. The promise remains just that — a promise. As the saying goes, words don’t make flour.
Thus, Gamboa may indeed be correct. The people’s fundamental right to safe and potable water seems to have become a political football.
Access to safe drinking water is a basic human right recognized by the United Nations through the UN-Water Human Rights to Water and Sanitation Framework, which guarantees everyone continuous, accessible, safe, and affordable water for personal and domestic use.
REHAB. MODERNIZE. EXPAND.
From the business sector, Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI) president Frank Carbon believes PrimeWater should immediately present a comprehensive five-year rehabilitation, modernization, and expansion plan.
Since taking over BACIWA’s operations in November 2020, PrimeWater has yet to unveil such a roadmap. That is unfortunate.
Carbon said water services in Bacolod appear to have “no future” unless PrimeWater works closely with Negros Power and the Bacolod City government in crafting a long-term business development plan.
He also pointed out that permitting issues and right-of-way (ROW) problems continue to delay PrimeWater’s modernization projects.
If these obstacles remain unresolved indefinitely, water insecurity in the so-called “super city” will continue.
And on that point, Gamboa is right.
‘GIVE THE DEVIL HIS DUE’
Sayang!
Gamboa has consistently articulated well-founded arguments on many public issues, yet he often finds himself dismissed.
Why? Is it because he lacks money? Perhaps that is part of the answer.
But while he may not possess great wealth, his ideas are undeniably rich in substance.
Hopefully, his fellow councilors will remember the saying, “Give the devil his due.”
Even if they disagree with Gamboa on certain matters or find him difficult to deal with, they cannot deny that he has raised valid and important points about Bacolod’s water insecurity.
For the business community, water is every bit as essential as electricity. Both are fundamental requirements for economic growth and investment. Without either, doing business becomes difficult and, in many cases, impractical.
So perhaps it is time to seriously consider Gamboa’s insights — not only today, but in the years ahead. He is articulate, insightful, and difficult to ignore. If his warnings continue to fall on deaf ears, Bacolod may well face an even worse water crisis in the future.
So pause and reflect on what he has been saying. After all, there is nothing to lose.
Remember, even a broken clock is right twice a day. And perhaps, on this issue, Gamboa is proving exactly that./PN
