Bacolod SP Approves Amendments to Water Monitoring Council Ordinance

The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) approved on third reading last August 27, 2025 the amendments introduced by Councilor Wilson Gamboa, Jr. to key provisions of City Ordinance No. 08-14-668, otherwise known as the “Bacolod City Water Supply and Quality Monitoring Council”, to effectively respond to massive complaints against quality and available water supply.

The 2014 Ordinance creating the Bacolod City Water Supply and Quality Monitoring Council, composed of the City Mayor as Chairman, City Health Officer as Vice Chairman and 13 members coming from various national and city agencies, – was mandated to come up with a master plan to monitor and identify potable water source, established water treatment facilities and make sure that the primary need for safe, potable and sufficient water supply will be perpetually met to safeguard public health.

Under the Gamboa amended ordinance, specifically on Sections 7, 9, and 10, of City Ordinance No. 08-14-668, additional government offices and water service providers, including Prime Water Infrastructure, Inc. (PrimeWater), will now be part of the council for the better formulation of policies concerning reliable and sufficient supply of clean water which is vital for the health, sanitation and overall well-being of the residents of Bacolod City.

The key amendments that specifically revise Sections 7, 9, and 10 of the 2014 ordinance expanded the Council membership and the Technical Working Group, to include the Bacolod City Water Service Utilities (e.g. PrimeWater Infrastructure, Inc.), Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Office (DRRMO), Department of Health (DOH) Representative and Representative from the Liga ng mga Barangay.

The Gamboa amendments clarified the roles and responsibilities of said added agencies. These are:
PrimeWater shall provide quarterly reports to the Council Members on the status of the Bacolod City water supply, compliance reports as stated in the Joint Venture Agreement (JVA), and other related information significant to the improvement on quality service;

DRRMO shall conduct investigation related to the services of all water utilities in the City and serves as City Field Validation Team (CFVT);

DOH shall conduct information dissemination on water supply and quality monitoring in Bacolod City to other local government units and to the national level, likewise to other related health agencies and/or organization;

Liga ng mga Barangay shall conduct information dissemination on water supply and quality monitoring to all 61 Barangays of the City.

Gamboa explained the importance of expanding the council to include stakeholders directly responsible for water supply and public health, adding, “This amendment ensures that Bacolod City residents’ primary need and complaints for safe, potable, and sufficient water is not only met but continually safeguarded.”* (PR)