SENATOR Juan Miguel Zubiri has allocated an additional P100 million for the second phase of the Kabankalan City Water District (KCWD) rehabilitation and waterline improvement project in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental.
Zubiri, who led the groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, July 1, said this marks Phase 2 of the pipeline expansion project to improve the city’s water system.
He said that in 2024, they already released P50 million for the implementation of Phase 1 of the project.
“I love Kabankalan City because my father, former Bukidnon Governor Jose Maria Zubiri, is from Talubangi, Kabankalan,” he added.
Zubiri recalled that nine years ago, as one of the investors in Kabankalan City where he put up an industrial ice plant, the cost of water in the city was higher than electricity.
He said some investors pulled out their businesses from Kabankalan due to the water supply problem.
Two years ago, Paul Azcona, a former KCWD chairman and now administrator of the Sugar Regulatory Administration, sought his assistance to address the issue.
“So we made a plan and program of works to improve the water services in Kabankalan and make them more efficient,” he added.
Zubiri noted that the water district’s pipes were installed in the 1940s, which has led to significant leakage.
“So we have to rehabilitate it,” Zubiri said.
He said an additional P100 to P150 million may still be needed, possibly next year, to complete the project so that Kabankalanons can have clean, safe, reliable, and cost-efficient water.
“We’re gonna pursue that. This will be my legacy project for Kabankalan City, where my father is from,” he added.
In addition, Zubiri also inspected the amphitheater-museum in Barangay Alijis, Bacolod City on Tuesday.
He was accompanied by Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya and Councilor Al Victor Espino.
Zubiri said he has already allocated at least P400 million for the completion of the project.
The Bacolod City Engineer’s Office reported that the project is now 74 percent complete and is targeted to be finished by October this year. (MAP)