By CESAR JOLITO III
A Bacolod City councilor has raised alarm over a potential water crisis in the city this dry season, warning of a repeat of supply scarcity affecting thousands of residents.
Councilor Wilson Gamboa, Jr. cautioned that unresolved financial and operational issues involving Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa) and its joint venture partner PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp. could again disrupt water distribution across the city.
Gamboa cited concerns over alleged non-payment of obligations to suppliers, which he said may trigger supply interruptions during peak demand this summer.
He reiterated his earlier call to restore Baciwa’s full control over operations, emphasizing its mandate as a government-owned and controlled corporation serving the public.
The councilor also questioned the effectiveness of the current bulk water supply system, noting that a significant number of households remain unconnected to pipelines or rely on aging and deteriorating infrastructure.
Data shared by Gamboa showed that the system’s non-revenue water (NRW) level has reached 43 percent — more than double the 20 percent target under the joint venture agreement.
NRW refers to treated water lost due to leaks, illegal connections or inefficiencies before reaching consumers.
“This means residents are effectively paying for water they never receive,” Gamboa said.
He further revealed that around 900 leaks in the distribution network remain unresolved, raising not only concerns over water loss but also the risk of contamination that could affect public health.
Unfinalized deal
Gamboa also raised questions about a reported sale agreement involving PrimeWater and the Lucio Co Group, saying the deal remains unfinalized.
He alleged that the announcement of the sale may have delayed efforts to return control of operations to Baciwa despite what he described as multiple violations of the joint venture agreement.
The councilor additionally scrutinized the utility’s financial performance, noting that Baciwa generates an estimated P60 million in monthly collections, or about P720 million annually, with a reported average net income of P100 million.
He questioned how these funds are being utilized, citing a lack of visible infrastructure improvements.
Gamboa also underscored the need to safeguard approximately P695 million worth of Baciwa assets turned over under the agreement, stressing that these are public properties that must be protected.
As chair of the Sangguniang Panlungsod committee on human rights, Gamboa renewed his call for government and consumer control over the water utility, warning that inaction could further endanger water access, public health and consumer welfare in the city.
Earlier, the city government had been pushing for a long-term and reliable solution to recurring water supply problems as a potential new investor had expressed interest in entering the local water sector.
Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya said they are actively seeking a firm resolution to the water crisis, stressing the need to ensure stable water service for residents, especially during the dry season.
Gasataya also underscored the urgency of resolving the water supply problem, noting that the city cannot afford prolonged service disruptions as demand typically rises during the summer months./CJ, WDJ