PROVINCIAL Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz II said Thursday, May 18, that the Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa)-PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp. (PrimeWater) has signified their intent to get supply from the Capitol Bulk Water project.

Diaz said he advised the Baciwa-Prime to submit a formal letter of intent duly signed by a person in authority from the Board of Directors and management before they consider it official.

"If that letter arrives, from there we hope to make the right adjustments," Diaz said.

He said that the water districts from Talisay City up to the municipality of Manapla have submitted their LOIs, with how much volume of water they would need.

He added that the consultants are gearing up for the investors’ forum in June.

"The companies have expertise in bulk water development and proven track record," Diaz pointed out.

The bulk water project will tap into the upland area of the Malogo and Embang Rivers.

"There are other sources of water that are being offered to the province for development. There is nothing official yet," he said, citing the interest of the local governments of Bago City and the town of Pulupandan in a similar bulk water project.

Potable water in our LGUs is always a challenge for them and they are asking the provincial government to help them, Diaz said.

"We will do everything possible. It should be feasible and advantageous to the partners that will put up investments. It will also be subjected to a feasibility study," he also said.

The change of heart of Baciwa-Prime Water comes after the water firm earlier said it cannot wait for the completion of the project.

Mona Dia Jardin, Baciwa general manager, said they need additional water supply this year but the bulk water project of the provincial government is viable in three to four years.

She said they already closed deals with three bulk water suppliers, one of which will supply 10-15 million liters per day starting this year.

Currently, Jardin said that the water supply in the city is short by 15-20 million liters per day but this will be addressed starting this year.

The Capitol's bulk water project already has three interested investors - Aboitiz InfraCapital, the group of billionaire tycoon Enrique Razon, and an unnamed firm.

The bulk water system project will be under a public-private partnership (PPP) scheme.*