BACOLOD City – The city government has created the Coordinating Action Team (CAT) to expedite the implementation of vital infrastructure projects aimed at improving the water supply here.
The team was formed following Executive Order (EO) No. 014, series of 2024, of Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez issued on March 8, 2024 amid reports of water shortages and interruptions being experienced by several barangays, adversely affecting the daily lives and livelihoods of the residents.
The situation, the city mayor noted, is also being aggravated by the adverse effects of the current El Niño phenomenon.
The local chief executive explained that one of the recognized causes of water shortages is the difficulty of acquiring ownership or road right-of-way in areas where the water pipes need to pass through to supply water to the city.
“Acquiring road right-of-way for infrastructure projects is essential for the development and improvement of road networks in our city,” Benitez emphasized.
He said there is a need to expedite the process of acquiring road right-of-way to facilitate the implementation of vital infrastructure projects that necessitate the intervention of the city.
The CAT is composed of the city mayor as chairperson and the local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) chief as vice chairperson.
Members include Sangguniang Panlungsod’s committees on fire, natural disasters, and calamities; health and sanitation; and environment and ecologies, as well as the Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa), National Water Resources Board, City Legal Office, City Assessor, City Engineer’s Office (CEO), City Administrator, Bacolod Environment and Natural Resources Office, City Public Information Office, City Budget Office, and City Health Office.
Functions
Benitez said the team will come up with a coordinated action and approach plan to aid in the expeditious implementation of vital infrastructure projects for the city aimed at improving the supply of water.
It is also tasked with building effective collaboration between and among agencies and offices, both in the government and private sector, to streamline and expedite the resolution of any issues or problems that will be encountered in the implementation of vital infrastructure projects from their inception up to their completion.
CAT should be able to develop and implement short-term and long-term strategies to address water shortages and ensure the provision of adequate water supply to all residents.
And lastly, it should make recommendations and endorsements to the appropriate office and/or agency of any activity, plan, or project to be pursued as part of the coordinated effort to improve the supply of water in this city, the mayor added.
Matab-Ang River Project
During a press conference yesterday, Engr. Loben Rafael Ceballos, officer-in-charge of the CEO, presented to the media the proposed project of the city to supply water for Baciwa.
Benitez said the city will allocate about P50 million for the implementation of the project.
The city will source water from the Matab-ang River within the boundaries of this city and Talisay City, Ceballos said.
The mayor said about 20 million liters a day (mld) of water can be extracted by the city from the said river, which could significantly augment the water supply.
Water rationing is currently being conducted in this city by the Bureau of Fire Protection and the local DRRMO in barangays with no supply./PN
