THE provincial government of Negros Occidental signed an engagement deal with the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center for the implementation and development of water supply projects in the province. Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and PPP Center Executive Director Ferdinand Pecson signed the memorandum of agreement outlining the commitment of both parties to the partnership during the Provincial Water Summit held at Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City on Thursday. “The PPP Center will provide us with technical assistance if there are private investors willing to invest here in the province. Especially bulkwater supply, it is not cheap,” Lacson said, who pointed out that the water security in Negros Occidental is now “at a critical point” because of rapid population growth, urbanization, and water demand for agriculture, which is further aggravated by water pollution, water-borne diseases and destruction of watersheds. He noted that the province’s groundwater availability is only at 8 percent, thus, there is an urgent need to utilize other water sources.
By Eugene Y. Adiong
April 9, 2022
