By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Bacolod City Councilor Wilson Gamboa, Jr. recently revealed Bayan Muna partylist Rep. Ferdinand Gaite assured him that Congress will investigate the P537 million loan borrowed by the Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa) intended for upgrades to facilities and distribution system.
The city official said, while there is still the ongoing matter regarding the proposed joint venture with PrimeWater Infrastructure Corporation, they are still calling for a probe into the loan.
Gamboa also said Gaite informed him they are investigating water utility firms across the country and will conduct a separate investigation into Baciwa.
Earlier this year, the city councilor asked, “Where did the P537 million loan and the additional supplemental budget of P108 Million in 2002 to 2008 go?”
“It is also important for Baciwa to present to the people of Bacolod other project proposals of interested parties such as Metro Pacific [and] Manila Water, including Baciwa’s in-house proposal.” he said. “It is important to note that in the light of the problems, controversies, and issues concerning these private water concessionaires.”
Gamboa has since noted, they are requesting Baciwa reveal details of the study.
“There should be transparency and public consultation,” he added./DGB, WDJ