PrimeWater, BACIWA Urged Anew to Address Bacolod’s Decreasing Water Supply

Representative Albee Benitez raised alarm over the decreasing water supply in Bacolod City.

“Our water supply in Bacolod is slowly dwindling. Homes and communities, schools, offices, businesses, livelihood, health, and food supply—all these and more will be affected by the lack of water,” Benitez stated.

He emphasized that PrimeWater and the Bacolod City Water District (BACIWA) must exert all possible efforts immediately to prevent the situation from escalating into a full-blown crisis.

“Whatever contingencies and strategies that must be employed should be employed now. It is your responsibility to ensure that Bacolodnon who pay for your services do not run out of water,” the lawmaker said.

Benitez also appealed to the public to practice stricter water conservation to prevent wastage.

“My office will engage with all relevant stakeholders so that we can be on top of the situation. Problems should be addressed right from the very start,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Bacolod City government is preparing direct interventions to address the expected water shortage this summer, exacerbated by the impact of El Niño and seasonal heat on BACIWA and PrimeWater supplies.

City Administrator Atty. Mark Steven Mayo said that Mayor Greg Gasataya has issued an official communication requesting a status report and action plan from the utility providers.

He stated that while BACIWA-PrimeWater currently has contingency measures, including ongoing water deliveries, the city government has offered to form a dedicated team to assist in distributing water to the most affected areas.

“The mandate of Mayor Greg is to make sure there is no interruption and to address issues as soon as possible, we cannot afford to have a water crisis, especially during this time,” Mayo said.

He disclosed that the northern part of Bacolod has been identified as the most affected area and they are currently awaiting a data-driven list from the utility to ensure that interventions are targeted effectively.

Mayo also explained that according to BACIWA-PrimeWater, 50 percent of the city’s water is sourced from Bacolod Bulk Water Inc. (BBWI). This high reliance means that logistical problems at the bulk source are felt immediately by consumers.

Adding to the pressure, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) has issued a cease and desist order against the BBWI expansion for operating without an amended Environmental Compliance Certificate.

Regional Director Vicente Losbañes directed the company to halt the Water Supply Injection 2 Expansion Project or the Caliban River Water Intake Facility after investigations revealed that operations had commenced as early as November 2025 despite pending permits.

Alongside the work stoppage, BBWI was ordered to pay a P70,000 penalty for violating environmental regulations. The action followed a petition from residents of Barangay Caliban, Murcia, Negros Occidental, regarding the project’s impact on the river’s water supply.* (EYA/PNV)