CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan –“Hold your horses!”
Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado cautions officials of water districts in the province, particularly the City of Malolos Water District, in making moves that could “sabotage” the good intent of the on-going Bulacan Bulk Water Project (BBWP) and compromise the general welfare of the public.
The governor made the call during his weekly radio program “The Governor’s Hour which he co-anchored with Bulakenyo broadcaster Rommel Ramos.
Alvarado said that he has received a letter and several documents from the CMWD Employees Union informing him the officials of the city water district have allegedly entered into an “joint venture” agreement
with Prime Water Infrastructure Corporation (PWIC), a private firm.
Under the said agreement, employees would either seek early retirement or be absorbed by PWIC which will run water distribution operations with CMWD.
Aside from this the employees union also said that water rates would be also increased.
Alvarado said that this move is illegal since all the water districts in the province has signed a binding contract supporting the BBWP.
“We (provincial government) will not allow it.They have to talk with the provincial government. I would also like to remind them (water district officials) that they have signed a contract with the Bulacan Bulk Water Project,” the governor said.
He also said that this “scheme” will not push through due to clear and simple reason—“Where will they get the water supply.”
Alvarado said that the provincial government has been working hard for the implementation of the BBWP and now that the project is on its pipe laying stage, they will see to it that it will not be hampered by the interests of some people.
“Ngayon ay binigyan na tayo ng pagkakataon na matikman natin ang tubig na nagmumula at biyaya ng kalikasan at likas na yaman na galing sa ating kabundukan.Hindi natin papayagan na ito ay ma-sabotahe ng iilan,” he said adding that BBWP will reached Malolos before the end of 2018 or early 2019.
Under the BBWP, Alvarado said Bulakenyos will now taste the gift of nature’s bounty from Angat dam. He said fresh potable surface water will now flow to every homes in the province once the project is completed.
Alvarado said the underground water source of the different water districts in Bulacan is already depleted.
“Marami na ang nagrereklamo na may amoy, hindi mainum at madumi ang tubig na lumalabas sa kanilang gripo. Hindi magtatagal ay dadaloy ang sariwang tubig mula sa Angat dam sa pamamagitan ng Bulk Water project,” he added.
The governor said that he will call a meeting with the officials of the different water districts to discuss this matter and the inspection of their giant water tanks to ensure their structural integrity.
Earlier in the radio program, Ramos interviewed Vice Mayor Gilbert “Bebong” Gatchalian on the controversial issue of the joint venture agreement between CMWD and PWIC but it appears that the city executive, who is the presiding officer of the city council, have no idea about it.
The vice mayor told Ramos that they will investigate the controversy surrounding the joint venture agreement. —EMIL G. GAMOS