By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Four investors have expressed interest in the proposed bulk water project by the Negros Occidental provincial government, which will be under a public-private partnership (PPP) scheme.

Provincial administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz said officials from San Miguel Corporation have requested to meet with Capitol officials on their participation in the bid.

The said firm operates the Bulacan Bulk Water Supply Project in Luzon.

Diaz said the results of the feasibility study for the bulk water project will be presented to Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson on Monday, June 19.

The technical working group will also attend the presentation.

Furthermore, Diaz also emphasized the need to discuss the total project costs and specific location during the meeting.

Four local government units — the cities of Silay, Talisay and Victorias, and Manapla town — have expressed intent to avail bulk water supply under the PPP project, which would initially tap the Malogo and Imbang rivers as the surface water resource.

Among the other interested companies in the bulk water project are Aboitiz InfraCapital, owned by billionaire tycoon Enrique Razon, and a still unidentified firm./DGB, WDJ