In response to a letter from Amlig Tubig, an initiative launched last year by the Diocese of Bacolod Social Action Center and Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa) employees’ union, the Baciwa Board of Directors clarified they never insisted on nor “handpicked” PrimeWater Infrastructure Corporation as an independent private proponent in a proposed public-private partnerships (PPP).
“The 2013 guidelines of the National Economic and Development Authority on joint ventures dictate that Baciwa follows the ‘first-in-time’ rule and, with the disqualification of Metro Pacific Water as the first proponent to submit its unsolicited proposal, BACIWA, through its joint venture selection committee, proceeded to evaluate the second proponent, which is the PrimeWater,” explained Baciwa Board chair, Atty. Lorendo Dilag.
He added, the process is still ongoing.
Dilag also defended the decision to enter a joint venture, which Amlig Tubig opposes.
“The PPP, through a joint venture, is a well-studied alternative to deliver better and efficient service to the existing water-consuming public,” he said.
Meanwhile, Amlig Tubig said the Senate is set to conduct an inquiry into the joint venture agreement./DGB, WDJ