By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Amid ongoing talks between the Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa) and the PrimeWater Infrastructure Corporation surrounding their proposed 25-year joint venture, Baciwa Board of Directors chair, Atty. Lorendo Dilag, assured the public that rate increases would be regulated under the agreement.
The Baciwa official noted, increase will still be subject for approval from the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA).
“Consumers will be protected considering any increase is with LWUA,” he assured.
Earlier, Bacolod City Councilor Wilson Gamboa, Jr. called for the Baciwa Board of Directors to resign, referring to the aforementioned joint venture as “arbitrary and illegal,” claiming, “The venture is not an option in order to solve the city’s water supply woes.”
“Resign, revamp; they are just mere appointees so they have no right to stay longer in Baciwa,” Gamboa added.
Last January, the city councilor called on Dilag to explain the proposed joint venture.
In operation for over 30 years, PrimeWater provides services including water system development, bulk water supply, water supply improvement and rehabilitation, along with a sewage waste management program.
Gamboa’s motion characterized the utility firm as a “government-owned and controlled corporation,” which makes it “imbued with public interest.”
Later that month, the Diocese of Bacolod Social Action Center (SAC) also called for public hearings on the matter./DGB, WDJ