Iloilo City gov't opens water supply distribution for investors

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Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog stressed that Iloilo City is opening up investment opportunities for water supply distribution in areas not served by the Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD).



Mabilog said he fervently hope the city council will authorize him to sign a memorandum of agreement with a company whose business is on providing water service in areas not served by the existing water district.

Last month, the city council here deliberated on the offer of South Balibago Resources Inc. to provide potable water to areas in Jaro district having no pipeline facilities with MIWD.

Through its managing director Cristina Isabelle Alejandro, the offer will focus on providing water supply in 34 subdivisions and three barangays in Jaro district, this city.

The MOA will grant a city franchise to South Balibago for 25 years to commence upon the fulfillment of conditions and maybe renewed for another period of time.

On the fourth year after the commencement date, South Balibago will have to pay the city a franchise fee of P1 per cubic meter of water sold and paid in its franchise area.

Mabilog is positive the city council will authorize him to sign the MOA with South Balibago by considering that Jaro district is not served by MIWD.

Four districts in the city are without water during the summer months out of the seven districts covered by MIWD franchise.

Last month, the city was declared by the city council under a state of water calamity as several barangays complained of severe water shortage and drying up of deep wells.

An ongoing emergency water delivery to the barangays is very limited and the city is still waiting for water procurement to be funded by the P3 million approved assistance from the calamity fund. [via PNA]

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