BACOLOD City Mayor Greg Gasataya has intervened after the Bacolod Bulk Water Inc. (BBWI), a water supplier of PrimeWater Bacolod, the joint venture partner of Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa), eyed to shut down its supply due to unsettled accounts.
Gasataya, who held a dialogue between the two parties on Monday, August 11, 2025, said BBWI was supposed to stop its water supply to Baciwa-PrimeWater on Saturday, August 9, which will affect at least 40 percent of its supply in the city.
He said he was informed on Friday night, August 8, about the BBWI's plan, so he immediately called the company and asked them to give him until Monday for the Baciwa-PrimeWater to settle their dues.
He added that Baciwa-PrimeWater failed to pay its dues to BBWI from May to June 2025.
The mayor noted that the supposed courtesy call leading to a meeting include Baciwa general manager Mona Dia Jardin, its Board of Directors Atty. Sonya Verdeflor, Edgardo Uychiat, Clarissa Araneta, and Rich Ann Zayco; and PrimeWater branch manager Farah Jenny Monteclaro with Engineers John Arlan Canatoy and John Arthur Ramirez at the City Mayor's Office.
Gasataya said at least 40 percent of Baciwa-Primewater’s water supply comes from BBWI’s water treatment facilities in Barangay Granada, Bacolod City and the Sum-Ag Water Treatment Plant in Barangay Salvacion, Murcia, Negros Occidental.
"The effect on the city would have been severe. We already had a water turbidity problem, and if there had been a cutoff, it would have created an even bigger problem,” he said.
The Sum-Ag Water Treatment Plant provides the Mansilingan Reservoir, which supplies water to Barangays Sum-Ag, Cabug, Felisa, Handumanan, Mansilingan, Punta Taytay, Pahanocoy, and Tangub.
Under the agreement, Baciwa-PrimeWater committed to settling its outstanding debts, while both parties pledged to implement long-term payment protocols to prevent future disputes.
Gasataya said both parties also made an agreement and assured to continue its water supply in the city.
He said Baciwa-PrimeWater promised to pay its dues to BBWI this month.
" We intervened because it will affect the general welfare, and we are thankful to both parties for ensuring us that these things won't happen again," he added.
Also present in the meeting were Secretary to the Mayor Atty. Jose Marty Go and City Engineer’s Office officer-in-charge Loben Ceballos.
For her part, Jardin said they are thankful with the intervention of the city led by Gasataya.
" We can assure the public that there will no disruption as far our water production is concern. Our services will continue," she said.
She added they already have an agreement with the BBWI in terms of the payment of their dues.
Jardin disclosed that they will continue to monitor the compliance of PrimeWater to to ensure the water supply in Bacolod. (MAP)