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Rondez joins anti-BWSP

Councilor condemns BWSP

BAGUIO CITY(April 12) – Pressure is definitely building up for Baguio Water District (BWD) and the Benguet Corporation (BC) as City Councilor Perlita Chan Rondez joined the ranks of people who are opposing the Bulkwater Supply Project (BWSP).

In her privilege speech last April 11, Chan Rondez re-echoed the contention PRO-CONSUMERS, COURAGE and the Itogon Inter Barangay Alliance.

“We hope that she would send a signal to the other councilors for them to immediately firm up their position and to take side with the people,” said Chie Galvez of PRO-CONSUMERS Baguio, one of the active campaigners against the BWSP.

The councilor condemned the project after visiting the abandoned pit of Antamok Mines in Itogon, Benguet, site of the proposed reservoir of the BC for the BWSP of Baguio City.

“Killer” water

In her speech , Chan Rondez reiterated the Procurement Bids and Awards Committee (PBAC) study regarding the highly toxic quality of water at the Antamok pit which the BC intends to supply to Baguio.

She commented that it was “atrocious” for BC to provide noxious water to Baguio City.

“What kind of state of the art treatment can purify the pernicious effects of mining pollutants from the water?” Chan Rondez asked.

During her visit to the site, she also observed that the open pit is only 300 meters away from a milling plant. Furthermore, the pit has become a receptacle for the refuse of its neighboring communities.

“Even at the brink of desperation towards the resolution of this problem ( Baguio water crisis), we cannot accept the contaminated water,” said Chan Rondez.

Better alternatives

The councilor said that “there is no need for the BWSP at this time.”

She suggested alternatives such as the completion expansion and rehabilitation of the pipelines to reduce Non-Revenue Water (NRW).

“The recorded 38% to 45% rate of NRW points to water lost along the distribution lines of BWD.

A major factor behind the high rate of NRW is damaged pipes reported to have been caused by earthquakes,” says Chan Rondez.

Another alternative proposed by the councilor is urging the Office of the City Planning and Development to do an intensive study on groundwater recharge.

“More deep wells would require an intensive study on the groundwater recharge… (and it should) be considered in light of unmonitored drilling operations, increasing number of water haulers and potential water development.”

Furthermore she advised the BWD to utilize the AusAid (Australian Aid) donated pipelines for drawing groundwater from the ground.

Unprivate privatization

Chan-Rondez commented that the awarding of the contract to the BC is an obvious sign of privatization of public services such as the BWD.

“Allowing the BC to monopolize our water sources violates our rights as consumers for equitable access to this precious public resource,” Chan Rondez warned.

According to her, privatization of the water sources of Baguio will bring parallel impacts to consumers.

Chan Rondez also cautioned Baguio water consumers by saying that the “the bid price of BC is estimated to be P 39.99 per cubic meter or a 135% increase from the prevailing rate which can still increase after five years.”

Furthermore, she added that the questionable record of BC is a tell tale sign that consumers will be at the “losing end”.

Bidding goodbye to the BC bid

Chan Rondez further questioned the process of the reopening of the bid for the BWSP after BWD initially disqualified the BC.

“Why did the original members (of the PBAC) resign? What was contained in the technical report of the LUWA (Local Water Utilities Administration) who made their study in accordance to the prayer of BC?”, she asked.

She added that “unless these questions are satisfactorily answered, people will be inclined to believe that there has been corruption and manipulation.”

The councilor also called for the recall of SP Resolution No. 5 of Baguio City promulgated last 2003 which endorsed the BWSP. Furthermore she urged the City Council to act on the awarding of the BWSP contract to BC.

“This project has to do a vital need and a public utility and must be viewed in a context of providing our people the genuine water service that they deserve…as city councilors (we) should be part of that yearning,” advised Chan Rondez.

Galvez of PRO-CONSUMER also urged the city council and the rest of Baguio consumers to further pressure the BWD Board to stop the projects bidding. # June Arvin C. Gudoy/intern MMSU

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