THE proposed P1.2-billion Negros Occidental Bulk Water Supply Project faces rough sailing at the Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council) of Silay City.
Rayfrando Diaz, administrator of the provincial government of Negros Occidental, said the Silay City Council, divided by opposing political factions, failed to pass a resolution of no objection (RONO) for the proposal.
"The problem is not technical. Water should be above politics. It is a very basic need and a basic right of every Silaynon of every Negrosanon. And all of us should be one in supporting our bulk water project," Diaz said on Friday, May 17.
He said that the City Councils of Manapla, Victorias City, EB Magalona, Talisay City and Bacolod City had already passed RONOs for the project.
Diaz said some Silay councilors are saying that if the bulk water project pushes through, it will take away water from Silay's Imbang River.
"We will not be taking away water already granted to industries in Silay based on their water permits," Diaz said.
The bulk water project will actually provide potable water to residents from Bacolod to Manapla, including Silay City.
"This is the cheapest potable water offered to the LGUs in the project's coverage area, which will address the scarcity of water and the problem of water-borne diseases," Diaz said.
"If the Silay officials reject the project, they will have to be answerable to their constituents," he added.
Diaz also said that two Silay councilors visited him on Thursday to inquire for additional data on the bulk water project.
"The Silay City SP believes that the source of water for the project is owned by the city," he said.
"No LGU owns water. It is governed by the national government who owns it."
Representatives from the provincial government will meet the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Silay to give them all the answers they want, Diaz said.
"We will use water that is unsubscribed or unused water for the bulk water project as approved by the National Water Resources Board," Diaz added.
He also said that there will be two intake sites and water treatment plant sites in Barangay Guinbalaon in Silay City and another in Malogo River in EB Magalona.
Meanwhile, Diaz said the Aboitiz Group has withdrawn its interest in joining the bidding for the project on June 27.
The company, however, did not divulge the reason for backing out, he said.
Other firms, meanwhile, want the schedule for the bidding moved to a latter date.
"While we are currently studying their requests. I will prefer to push through with the bidding even if there will only be one bidder," Diaz said.
Earlier, Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said that the provincial government will push through with the project despite the opposition from some political leaders in Silay City.
"Of course, we will do everything possible to make it happen," Lacson said.
"We have already decided that we can tap that source based on scientific study which has long been conducted. We cannot depend on the underground anymore, so we will make use of the surface water so these two rivers are a good source of potable water."
The bulk water project will use surface water from the Malogo River in Silay City and Imbang River in EB Magalona.
Expected to benefit from to the project are Bacolod City, Silay City, Talisay City, EB Magalona, Victorias City and Manapla, the governor said.
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