By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Forty-three companies have expressed their interest in the bulk water project of the Negros Occidental provincial government.

At least 97 representatives from the said firms attended the investor conference organized by the capitol on Thursday, August 10.

A list provided to members of the media showed 28 attendees, representing 17 companies, were present at the conference, while 69 individuals from 26 others participated online.

Among the top companies in attendance are Aboitiz Construction Inc., D.M. Consunji Inc., Makati Development Corporation, and Sta. Clara International Corp.

Also in attendance are financial institutions such as RCPC Capital Corp., Union Bank of the Philippines, Development Bank of the Philippines, China Bank, and China Banking Corp.

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the provincial government will allocate funds to the P1.2 billion bulk water project to ensure that water supply rates will be low and affordable for Negrenses.

Lacson said the provincial government is not looking to profit from the project, but their priority is to ensure there is enough and affordable water supply in years to come./DGB, WDJ