MCWD willing to talk with “OIC” gen mngr

CEBU, Philippines — The Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD) is willing to sit down with the newly-appointed OIC general manager if he is interested, assuring that no resolution will be issued to bar his entry inside the office.

In an interview with reporters last Monday, MCWD chairman of the board Joey Daluz III said that Joselito Thomas Baena will not be recognized as the OIC general manager considering that he isn't "connected" with the government.

According to Daluz, before anyone is delegated authority even as OIC, one must first be a government employee.

Aside from this, Daluz said Baena was allegedly only going around Cebu City. He said that should Baena manifest his will to help, he must go to the other service area of MCWD, such as Cordova and Lapu-Lapu City.

Daluz further said they didn’t receive any resolution from the Local Water Utilities Administration Interim Board of Directors (IBOD) informing them of the appointment of Baena.

"Wa g’yud ‘ning tanan. He has been going around... if he really wants to help, then give us some ideas, solution, we are ready to listen og unsa iyang solution aning kainit ug kakuwang sa tubig karong panahona," said Daluz.

As for the function of Baena inside MCWD premises, Daluz said he only received a report that Baena was only able to "take a peek" inside the office.

Elaborating on the entry of Baena inside MCWD, Daluz said that they will not be imposing the same fate as previously-appointed OIC general manager John DX Lapid who was barred entry through an issued resolution.

Daluz said it will depend on if whether or not Baena will enter MCWD to "insist" on his installment that may result in "confusion" in the management.

"But if he will just enter and talk to us about what he can do, then maybe okay lang na no, dili lang sya mo-insist on OIC kay karon nga normal na kaayo ang dagan sa MCWD and we are focused on looking for solution then dili lang unta na samukon pag usab," said Daluz.

But Daluz said should Baena opt to dialogue with MCWD, he should send a letter first indicating the items that needed to be discussed.

Daluz also said that Baena has been going around, presenting himself as the MCWD OIC general manager, bordering on usurpation of function of MCWD general manager Edgar Donoso.

It was reported that following the standoff in MCWD over the installation of Lapid, the IBOD designated Baena to the position. (CEBU NEWS)