I AM flabbergasted by Bacolod City Water District’s (Baciwa’s) non-service delivery of water. I have been complaining. All I’m getting are excuses and non-engineering solutions like the use of pails that any elementary school graduate can suggest.
Two years ago, Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia said the Baciwa needs to improve their services. He noted that the water utility is about 43 years old, but that time, they are serving only 53 percent of the people of Bacolod.
“So there is something wrong with Baciwa. They should serve the remaining 47 percent of the people of Bacolod who still have no water supply.”
In the same year, Leonardia appointed his allies to the Baciwa Board. “Atty. Lorendo Dilag carries with him his wealth of experience in dealing with public interest. Aside from being a credible lawyer, he is the kind who has his ears on the ground and could easily respond to the needs and demands of our community,” Leonardia said.
Dilag, for his part, said he will “continue to work toward the fulfillment of Baciwa’s vision of delivering potable water to Bacolod residents 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
Hello? Ears on the ground? Why does he not know about the lack of water supply in Alijis? Or in some parts of Taculing? It rained cats and dogs. The city was awash with water...except the faucets! “When the well is dry, they know the worth of water,” says Benjamin Franklin.
As for Mona Dia Jardin, Leonardia vouched for “professional knowledge of her competence, dedication to duty, and sincerity to public service.” Why? Is she an engineer? Jardin said she will study the Baciwa operations and get acquainted with the functions of the Baciwa Board. That doesn’t sound reassuring.
A Facebook user, who is just as frustrated as I am, said: “Sus! Adlaw adlaw ga pa hakot ko ya 3-4 ka carry nga tubig despite the fact nga may 1,000 gallons ko supposedly ya nga reserve sa cistern ko 2018 na ga pa aguada pa ko ya tubig sa Bacolod City. Ano abi ina ya ka primitive!”
Water scarcity could be a defining issue in the forthcoming election. After all water is not just an amenity but a necessity in life.
The incumbent local executive has to shape up the water supplies if he expects to withstand a brewing storm of disgust on non-water delivery
(bqsanc@yahoomail.com)