Aboitiz Group is keen on water project

BACOLOD CITY: The Aboitiz InfraCapital is keen on investing in a P2.8-billion bulk water supply project of the provincial government of Negros Occidental.

Representatives of Aboitiz InfraCapital led by Cosette Canilao, president and chief executive officer, met with Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez at the Capitol on Thursday.

Canilao said their proposal to provide water is for the cities of Bacolod and Talisay.

“We are looking at a joint venture agreement with the provincial government and the Bacolod City government,” she said.

Canilao said that currently, the water used from deep wells, which are now already saturated and are drying up, can cause degradation of the surface.

Water sourced from rivers would be the ideal option, which is what they are planning to do for Bacolod and Talisay, she said.

Under the bulk water system, they will get the surface water from a river that will be transferred through piping to a treatment facility. The treated water will then go to the water districts for distribution to consumers, Canilao said.

If the project is awarded this year, they will need at least two years for the construction of the facility, she added.

In the future, other bulk water projects can also be established in other parts of the province, Lacson said.

Under the joint venture, the provincial government will assist in availing of road rights of way and water permits that will entail minimal fund allocation, he added.

Canilao said they will follow the private-public partnership codes of the city and provincial government in terms of the approval and awarding of the project.

She added that they need at least two years for the construction if it is awarded this year.

“There are still issues that need to be addressed. You must remember it is only attractive to our prospective partners if Bacolod City is included, so that’s still an issue that has to be resolved, otherwise, we’ll have to think of other ways to make it attractive. So, it would be much better if Bacolod City would join this project,” Lacson pointed out.

The governor said there are other potential investors who signified interest in the project.

“But Aboitiz went here so we also appreciate their intent. The main target is Bacolod City so they are eying an area near Bacolod City to be developed,” he said.

Benitez assured support for the project.

“That’s part of the discussion. If it will bring better service and cheaper rates for the people, Bacolod City will definitely be part of it,” he said.