Bacolod City Councilor Wilson Gamboa Jr. urged the Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa) to stop their negotiation with the Prime Water or any private company for a joint venture through public-private partnership.

Gamboa, who led the information dissemination at Baciwa Tuesday, May 28, with the Social Action Center (SAC), Baciwa employee’s union and other consumers group, said that Baciwa should consider the sentiments of the consumers group and the local government unit.

“The consumers or the general public should join in this issue so that we can stop the plan of Baciwa to privatize the water district,” he said.

He added the public should be aware on what’s happening now at Baciwa.

Gamboa noted that President Rodrigo Duterte earlier ordered the review of all the water concessionaires’ contracts entered into by the government to remove any onerous provision detrimental to public interest.

The councilor said the joint venture with the Prime Water is not an answer to address the water problem in Bacolod.

“It’s not for the benefit of the consumers, but it is for the benefit of the private company or the Prime Water. Let’s study issue and the background of the water concessionaires,” he said.

Gamboa earlier called on the board of directors of Baciwa to resign from their posts for failure to protect the consumers’ rights.

He said the Baciwa management is now finalizing the proposed joint venture or public-private partnership between the Prime Water.

Gamboa said Baciwa also failed to conduct public hearing on the proposed joint venture on public-private partnership between the Prime Water.

“They should consult us as well as the local government unit. We have the right to oppose this contract,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Baciwa management could not be reached for a comment as of Tuesday. (MAP)