The Negros Occidental provincial government is eyeing sourcing water supply of 50 million liters per day (MLD) for three cities under the proposed Negros Bulk Water Supply Imbang Watershed – Hinalinan River Project.
A copy of the project’s environmental impact statement summary for the public (ESP) has been released by the Environment Management Bureau – Negros Island Region (EMB-NIR), which has set a public hearing at the host site in Barangay Guimbala-on, Silay City on April 27.
In the notice issued April 7, the EMB-NIR said the provincial government is applying for the issuance of an environmental compliance certificate (ECC).
“The public hearing aims to achieve efficient exchange of information and views between and among the project proponent, the EMB – Department of Environment and Natural Resources [DENR], relevant agencies, local government units [LGUs], and other stakeholders on environmental impacts of the proposed project currently applying for ECC,” it stated.
In the ESP, the provincial government said the Negros Bulk Water Supply – Imbang Watershed -Hinalinan River Project will “extract raw water from the Imbang River, with intake point specifically located in Hinalinan River in Barangay Guimbala-on, Silay City.”
“The project aims to meet the increasing water demand in the cities of Bacolod, Silay and Talisay by improving households’ access to clean, safe and resilient water supply,” it added.
The 20 MLD of water supply is intended to serve about 50,000 households in the three neighboring cities.
Under the project, the province “also seeks to gradually shift from current groundwater abstraction to sustainable surface water utilization, thereby ensuring a more reliable and environmentally sound source of supply for water service providers.”
The project is proposed to run for 38 years, inclusive of the three-year construction period, with full operation set to start in 2028.
As the main project proponent, the provincial government will “solely or in collaboration with private sector implement the project and is responsible for planning, development and coordination with relevant national government agencies, including the DENR, LGUs and stakeholders.” (PNA)