Bacolod City – The local government has committed to allocating P30 to P50 million for constructing pipelaying facilities within the city’s water network.
Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez, in a media interview following a meeting at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) yesterday, disclosed the plan that is part of a water augmentation project intended to address the city’s pressing water shortage.
“The funds for this crucial infrastructure will come from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), which will ensure the swift implementation of the water connections,” said Benitez.
Before the El Niño phenomenon, the Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa)-PrimeWater reported a 20 million liters per day (MLD) shortfall in water supply. This shortfall has further deepened by an additional 15 MLD or 12 percent because of El Niño, according to Benitez.
To bolster the city’s water supply, Benitez announced that two new sources have been identified: the Matab-ang River and the Bocal-Bocal Spring in Barangay Alangilan. Plans are in place to draw 20 MLD from the river, located at the border of Bacolod and Talisay City, and an additional 5 MLD from the spring.
Preliminary work at Bocal-Bocal Spring, including pipe fusion and pipelaying, is scheduled to commence on Friday, March 8. The project’s completion is expected to enhance water availability in the areas of Eroreco, Mandalagan, Villa Angela, and Villamonte in the following two months.
Benitez also mentioned reaching out to the National Water Resources Board for water rights and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for right-of-way permissions. He affirmed that finalizing the technical studies for pipeline construction is underway.
Since February 28, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Bacolod has been conducting water rationing to mitigate the effects of the shortage for affected residents.
The mayor intends to form a task force dedicated to the successful execution of the water supply enhancement plans, emphasizing the importance of reliable and sustainable water access for Bacolod’s populace. (Glazyl Masculino via The Daily Guardian)
