The Provincial Government of Negros Occidental (PGNO), in partnership with the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Safe Water, has held the Pre-Bid Conference for the Negros Occidental Bulk Water Supply Project (NBWSP) at the Capitol Building in Bacolod City, Philippines.

Eleven prospective bidders have shown interest in the bulk water supply project including the Manila Water Philippine Ventures, Inc., Balibago Waterworks System, Inc., First Balfour Inc., PrimeWater Resources Inc., BW Water, Inc., Aboitiz Infracapital, Inc., Primewater Infrastructure Corp., MacroAsia Properties Development Corporation, Maynilad Water Services Inc., San Miguel Holdings Corp. and M.E. Sicat Construction, Inc. 

The project requires a minimum capacity of 34.5 million liters/day (MLD) to be sourced from the Imbang River and/or Malogo River and is expected to supply treated bulk water to six Water Service Providers in the Province of Negros Occidental, namely: Silay City, Talisay City, Victorias City, Bacolod City, Municipality of Manapla, and Municipality of EB Magalona. The private sector partner for this PPP Project is expected to finance, design, construct, operate, and maintain the bulk water supply system through a joint venture with the PGNO for 38 years, inclusive of the construction period.