THE convenors of Amlig-Tubig, a multi-sectoral water consumers' alliance group, urged the Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa)-Board of Directors (BOD) to have an "inclusive approach" on the proposed joint venture with Prime Water Infrastructure Corporation.
Convenors Fr. Chris Gonzales, former congressman Pete Pico, Councilor Wilson Gamboa Jr. and other members aired the demands of the multi-sectoral water consumers alliance group Amlig Tubig for an "inclusive approach" to the issue at hand during their press conference at the Social Action Center Monday, February 3.
Gamboa, in a press statement, stressed the inclusion of all water consumers in a public hearing and consultation in all matters regarding the contract to be entered into by Baciwa with Prime Water.
He said the issue at hand now is that the Baciwa Joint Venture Selection Committee (Baciwa-JVSC) approved Resolution 18, recommending to the Baciwa-BOD the operation, development, financing expansion, improvement, rehabilitation, maintenance of water supply and septage management systems of Baciwa to Prime Water.
He said the next step is for Baciwa-BOD to issue a "Notice to Proceed" and the "contract signing" with Prime Water.
Gamboa pointed out that Baciwa should include the water-consuming public in the discussion of the merits of the Terms of Reference (TOR) and the provisions of the contract with Prime Water through the conduct of several proper public hearings.
Amlig Tubig had earlier manifested an official copy of the TOR after the issuance of a Certificate of Successful Negotiation duly signed by the Baciwa-JVSC and accepted by Prime Water which will now be the basis of discussions.
"It was likewise brought out that for almost a year now, Amlig Tubig's urging for an inclusive (all must be involved), open and transparent public hearing and consultation to said contract signing process and procedure were met with denials, justifications, and challenges for reason of confidentiality but now that the matter is at its clearest level, that the Prime Water is the winning water private proponent to operate Baciwa therefore, all official documents must be disclosed," Gamboa said.
He said the Baciwa-BOD spent three long years of careful and extensive planning regarding the problems of Baciwa, therefore Amlig Tubig is asking for the official copies of related Business Plans and Feasibility Studies.
"Amlig Tubig likewise is asking for the Appraisal Report of all Baciwa properties and assets," he added.
Moreover, Amlig Rubig urged the Baciwa-BOD to conduct a full-blown investigation on the P68 million and P537 million loans contracted by Baciwa with the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) which the BOD itself said that there were management lapses in the management of said loans.
Gamboa said they were thankful for the warm reception and accommodation extended to them by the Baciwa-BOD last month.
He said it was a courtesy meeting and a form of data gathering for each Amlig Tubig convenors to assimilate and process the presentations given.
"There is a need for said presentation to be brought to the consuming
public in several and separate public hearings and consultation," he added.