BACOLOD City Councilor Wilson Gamboa Jr. has called on the board of directors of Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa) to resign from their posts for failure to protect the consumers’ rights.
Gamboa, who joined a rally at Baciwa with Social Action Center (SAC), Baciwa employees union and consumers group yesterday, said that Baciwa management is now finalizing the proposed joint venture or public-private partnership between the Prime Water.
“They are now discussing the terms of reference of the proposed joint venture and there’s a possibility that they will sign the contract between the Prime Water anytime,” he said.
He added that it’s the sentiment of the employees’ union, SAC and consumers group to oppose the privatization of Baciwa.
Gamboa noted that they will distribute flyers today at Baciwa to inform the consumers the effect of the privatization of Baciwa.
“I’m calling for the resignation of the Baciwa Board of Directors because they failed to perform and to protect the consumers’ rights and public interest,” Gamboa said.
He said the board of directors are the ones who are pushing the policy directions so they should also consider the consumers rights.
Gamboa pointed out that Baciwa failed to conduct public hearing on the proposed joint venture on public-private partnership between the Prime Water.
SAC head Fr. Chris Gonzales earlier said that once the water district will be privatized, it will be a disadvantage to the consumers.
He said the impending joint venture is obviously without the full knowledge of the concessionaires and the consuming public.
He added the consumers have the right to full disclosure on any move or plan that Baciwa undertakes, like the projects on bulk water which aims to efficiently deliver water to its consumers.
Wennie Sancho, secretary-general of Water Watch Advocate, also said they condemned the stand of the board of directors of Baciwa because they violated the full disclosure policy which was stated on the Philippine Constitution.
“The consumer deserves to know what is going on, but why is it until now we are not informed. We do not know the terms and conditions of this joint venture. This move was done surreptitiously without the benefit of sufficient consultation with the Baciwa stakeholders,” he said.
He added the privatization is grossly disadvantageous to the consumers.