Bacolod City – The convenor of Water Watch Advocates is urging the people of Bacolod City to take immediate action to protect their rights and interests as consumers of Baciwa-PrimeWater.
“We are deeply concerned about the worsening water crisis that threatens the city and the root cause of this problem lies in the Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) between Baciwa and PrimeWater,” said Wennie Sancho in an open letter dated June 1 addressed to Baciwa-PrimeWater consumers.
They have been advocating for the revocation of the agreement due to its detrimental effects on our community. The JVA was approved by the Baciwa Board Members without public consultation and participation violating our Constitutional rights to information on matters of public concern (Article 3 Section 7 of the Bill of Rights). This lack of transparency and accountability had led to a situation where the interests of the people are being sacrificed for the benefit of a few, he said.
“We are now appealing to you, our fellow citizens, to sign our petition for the revocation of the JVA. By doing so, you will be joining us in our fight for a more transparent, accountable and people-centric water management system. We cannot afford to wait any longer, the future of our city and our economy depends on our collective action,” Sancho’s letter said.
They also urge the honorable members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) of Bacolod City to conduct a public hearing on this matter as they have previously requested. It is imperative that our elected officials listen to the voices of the people and take concrete actions to address our concerns, he said in their open letter.
“Let us stand together and demand our rights. Let us fight for a future where our water services are managed in a way that prioritizes the welfare of our community,” Sancho said.
“We stand at the forefront of a battle for our rights, our future and our very way of life. The JVA between Baciwa and PrimeWater is a betrayal of the public trust, a stark reminder that our silence can be bought and sold. But we will not be silenced. We will not be defeated,” he said.
Sancho said “We are the Water Watch Advocates and we are driven by a fierce determination to protect our community from the greed and recklessness of those who would seek our resources for their own gain. We are the voice of the voiceless, the champion of the people and the defender of our constitutional rights.”
“The odds may be overwhelming but our resolve is stronger, we will fight on, undeterred and unrelenting, until justice is served and our people are protected. Join us in this crusade and together let us reclaim our rights, our resources and our future,” he said.
“Sign the petition and join us in this noble cause,” he added. (Chrysee Semillano via tvds)