CONSUMER groups and multi-sectoral organizations filed on Monday, January 28, an opposition on the proposed joint venture between the Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa) and Prime Water for alleged lack of public hearing and consultation.
The petition was submitted to the Baciwa board on Monday.
The groups pointed out that the decision of the members of the Baciwa board over the crucial issue was arbitrary and was done surreptitiously without the benefit of sufficient consultation with the Baciwa stakeholders.
They strongly believe that the joint venture violated the 1987 Philippine Constitution, particular on Section 7, Article III of the Bill of Rights, which states: “The right of the people to information on matters of public concern shall be recognized.”
They further pointed that Section 27, Article II, wherein on the declaration of principles and state policies, enunciate that the state shall maintain honesty and integrity in public service, while Section 28 requires the state to make public its transactions without demand from individual citizen.
They added the full disclosure policy of all transactions involving public interest and Baciwa is imbued with public interest.
“Water is life, the consumers have the right to information on the matter of public concern, in consonance with the principle of popular sovereignty,” they added.
Last week, the Diocese of Bacolod Social Action Center (Sac) also sent a letter to the office of Bacolod City Councilor Dindo Ramos asking him to conduct a hearing over the proposed joint venture between Baciwa and Prime Water.
Sac head Father Chris Gonzales said consumers have the right to full disclosure on any move or plan that Baciwa undertakes, including projects regarding bulk water aimed at delivering water efficiently.
Baciwa chair Lorendo Dilag has assured the concessionaires that both the management and the board are against privatization and that partnership with private companies is an alternative to achieve their vision to give full consumers satisfaction.
He said they are only in the negotiation stage with Prime Water and that nothing is definite yet on its proposal.
He assured the public that Baciwa will remain as a government-owned and controlled corporation under the Local Water Utilities Administration.