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BY MAE SINGUAY
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BACOLOD City – Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa) does not need to have a joint venture with MetroPac Water Investments Corp. after all.
This, in a nutshell, was what the Sangguniang Panlungsod deduced in yesterday’s inquiry into MetroPac’s “unsolicited” proposal.
Upon the request of a consumers’ organization, the city council looked into MetroPac’s offer to rehabilitate the water district’s distribution lines within 30 years under a build-operate-transfer scheme.
The Utilities Consumers Alliance of Negros (UCAN) feared the joint venture would lead to Baciwa’s privatization and expose consumers to profiteering. The water district’s employees’ union had the same sentiment.
The committee on communications and energy led by Councilor Dindo Ramos as chair conducted the inquiry.
Ramos said the city council will come up with an official recommendation after he files a committee report.
But he stressed that Baciwa’s Board of Directors still has the final say on whether or not to enter into the joint venture.
Personally Ramos believes the joint venture will not “save” Baciwa from its problems, including supply shortage and pipe contamination.
Baciwa directors, former water district officials, several consumers, and UCAN representatives attended the inquiry.
Based on their comments and suggestions Baciwa is capable of addressing the problems it faces on its own, said Ramos.
Baciwa already started solving supply shortage through a bulk water supply agreement, the councilor said.
In 2015 the Cebu-based Mactan Rock Industries, Inc. — the lone bidder — bagged the 25-year bulk water supply project.
Under the Terms of Reference the supplier shall generate daily 9,842 cubic meters to the injection point in Hacienda Loygoy, Barangay Granada, and 6,500 cubic meters to another injection point in Barangay Mansilingan.
Mactan Rock was tentatively set to start delivering water next year, Ramos said.
As for the rehab of facilities, Ramos said it has been suggested that Baciwa acquire a loan from a government bank for such purpose.
In August Baciwa disclosed that water flowing through some of its pipes has tested positive for coliform bacteria.
Leakage and rains may have allowed the bacteria to penetrate the pipes, Assistant General Manager for Operations Jenelyn Gemora then said.
Gemora said they have cut the affected waterlines and laid out new pipes, and provided the affected residents water in containers.
MetroPac has clarified the proposed joint venture will not lead to privatization.
“This will be a joint venture between our company and Baciwa. We will not take over the management,” Business Development Manager Jonet Sanalilas said in September./PN
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