By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Negros Occidental provincial government has welcomed the renewed interest of the Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa) to participate in its multi-million peso proposed bulk water project.

Provincial administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz said he advised Baciwa to submit a written letter of intent duly-signed by a person of authority from the board of directors and the management before they can consider it as official.

Diaz said once they receive the letter, they hope to make the right adjustments.

He also revealed that the water districts in the province’s Talisay City and Manapla town have already submitted their respective letters of intent with how much volume of water they would need.

Consultants are already preparing for the investors forum slated for next month.

Diaz said the participating companies have expertise in bulk water development and proven track records.

The proposed bulk water project will tap into the upland area of the Malogo and Embang rivers.

However, Diaz said other sources of water are also being offered in Pulupandan town and Bago City.

“Potable water in our LGUs [local government units] is always a challenge,” he said.

The proposed bulk water project already has three interested investors, including Aboitiz InfraCapital, a company owned by Filipino tycoon Enrique Razon.

The proposed bulk water system project will also be under a public-private partnership scheme./DGB, WDJ