Bacolod Faces Mounting Water Crisis as Supply Drops Sharply
House Deputy Speaker and Bacolod City Lone District Representative Alfredo Abelardo Benitez has issued a stark warning, urging PrimeWater and the Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa) to take immediate action to prevent the city's water depletion from escalating into a full-blown crisis. Benitez emphasized that the declining water supply is already impacting households, communities, schools, offices, and businesses across Bacolod.
"Whatever contingencies and strategies that must be employed should be employed now," Benitez stated firmly. He stressed that it is the fundamental responsibility of water service providers to guarantee uninterrupted access to water, particularly for Bacolodnons who consistently pay for these essential services.
Call for Conservation and Stakeholder Engagement
The lawmaker also called on residents to practice responsible water usage and conservation to help mitigate the worsening shortage. "My office will engage with all relevant stakeholders so that we can be on top of the situation," Benitez added, highlighting the need for proactive measures to address the problem at its earliest stage to avert more severe future consequences.
Mayor Gasataya's Meeting with PrimeWater
Mayor Greg Gasataya has also taken decisive steps, holding a meeting with PrimeWater representatives to tackle the water shortage head-on. During the discussions, PrimeWater presented its plans to prevent shortages in some barangays. Gasataya insisted that PrimeWater implement immediate solutions to address the ongoing water supply issues exacerbated by the dry season.
The mayor revealed alarming data: supply from Bacolod Bulk Water Incorporated (BBWI) has significantly dropped in northern areas, plummeting from 24 million liters per day (MLD) to just 16 MLD. PrimeWater records further indicated that the supply declined to 11 MLD after efforts to address pipeline leakage were undertaken, compounded by reservoir damage, resulting in a total reduction of 13 MLD.
Commitments and Emergency Measures
PrimeWater expressed its commitment to the mayor to continue resolving the reservoir issues that have caused low water pressure across the city. In response, Gasataya directed the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office to prepare water tanks and deploy water trucks to augment rationing efforts in areas with limited or no access to water.
This coordinated approach underscores the urgency of the situation as Bacolod grapples with a critical water shortage that demands swift and effective intervention from all parties involved.
