BACOLOD City Councilor Dindo Ramos said on Friday, January 25, that his committee will hold a public hearing next week on the impending joint venture or public-private partnership to be entered by the Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa).

Ramos, chairperson of the City Council committee on information, communication technology, and energy, said he already received the letter of Fr. Chris Gonzales, Social Action Center head, to discuss this matter for the concessionaires of Baciwa.

He said the public hearing will be held either on Thursday or Friday, depending on the availability of the session hall.

Ramos will invite the Baciwa officials and its employees union, Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry, barangay officials and the City Legal Office.

Last week, Gonzales asked the City Government to conduct a public hearing on the said issue which is said to be in the second phase of planning.

He said the consumers have the right to full disclosure on any move or plan that Baciwa undertakes.

Claudio Salmo, president of Baciwa Employees Union, earlier said the board has approved the unsolicited proposal of Prime Waters for a 25-year joint venture contract.

Ramos said he will wait for the result of the public hearing so he can also issue his stand on the said joint venture of Baciwa.

He said that in the previous years, Baciwa also plan to have a joint venture proposal, but it did not push through. (MAP)