Councilman opposes water district privatization

BACOLOD City Councilor Carl Lopez is supporting the position of the Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa) employees union in opposing the enactment of Senate Bill No. 2997 authored by Senator Edgardo J. Angara that aims to privatize the water and sanitation industry.

He said that the privatization, at this point in time, will result in the immediate increase in water rates, with the takeover of private entities that will try to recoup their huge investment.

The country’s associations of water districts, such as the Philippines Association of Water Districts and Manila Association of Water Districts, as well as other local water districts, have also signed manifestos opposing the passage of Senate Bill No. 2997.

He added that certain provisions have to be amended to ensure the protection of the consuming public in Bacolod City.

Public-public or public-private partnerships for the improvement of water and sanitation services may be entertained only for limited aspects of the water supply or sanitation projects but shall not encroach on the organizational management, major aspects of the operations, billing and collection activities of the local water districts, he said. (CNC)