P11-B Bulacan bulk water project OK’d

MALOLOS CITY – The Bulacan provincial board unanimously approved last Thursday a proposed P11-billion bulk water project, but junked suggestions to drop the province’s claim for a national wealth tax.

The approval came days after heated debates on the proposed Bulacan Bulk Water Project (BBWP) of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and the Manila Water Corp.

“We recognize the need of the 3.2 million Bulakenyos for treated and clean water, but at the same time, we cannot just give in to their demands,” Alvarado said after Thursday’s special session.

He said the proposal of MWSS and Manila Water was good, but the board decided to reject suggestions that the province drop its national wealth tax claim from the MWSS that is still pending with the Court of Appeals.

Board member Vicente Cruz said, “I think it is wrong to drop the case when we already won in the regional trial court.”

Last Monday, provincial administrator Gladys Sta. Rita urged the provincial board members to approve the BBWP proposal, saying that the province’s groundwater from where local water districts draw water has been critical for years.

Sta. Rita told The STAR that the provincial government is willing to let go of its national wealth tax claim as long as the MWSS and Manila Water would develop the BBWP soon.

But Cruz and Alvarado opted for the continuation of the case – and the approval of the BBWP, too – since there might be legal impediments.

Based on their proposal, the MWSS and Manila Water, according to Cruz and Alvarado, offered a financial package consisting of a P250-million grant during the first three years of the project, P10-million development assistance, and P10-million royalty fee, aside from the annual P5 million to be given each to Norzagaray and Doña Remedios Trinidad towns which will host the BBWP.

Alvarado said the Constitution clearly states that the host local governments are entitled to one percent national wealth tax based on the gross sales of the company.

The one percent share is to be divided among the host province (20 percent), municipalities (35 percent) and barangays (45 percent), Alvarado said, citing provisions of the Local Government Code.

Cruz said the MWSS-Manila Water proposal made no mention of the share of the host barangays.

He agreed with Sta. Rita that it is still uncertain if the Court of Appeals would decide in favor of the province on its national wealth tax claim. However, he added: “What if we win?”