Interim protocol signed between Capitol, MWCI

CEBU, Philippines — There is now an interim protocol between the Province of Cebu and the Manila Water Consortium Inc. (MWCI) for the continued supply of water to the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) while their Joint Investment Agreement (JIA) termination is in the works.

Last February 3, the provincial board approved a resolution authorizing Governor Gwen Garcia to sign the new protocol for the continued operation of the Cebu Manila Water Development Inc. (CMWDI).

CMWDI is the offshoot company of a JIA entered into by the Province of Cebu and MWCI for the development and operation of a bulk water facility in Luyang River in the Municipality of Carmen.

However, after multiple violations have been noted by the Province of Cebu that were allegedly committed by MWCI, the former has decided to terminate the contract.

"While we are ironing out the process of our divorce… there has to be a protocol on how the continued delivery of 35,000 liters bulk water to MCWD will be supervised," Garcia said, in an interview.

She added that the mayor's permit of CMWDI has expired as of December 31 of last year.

Garcia said that Carmen Mayor Carlo Villamor expressed his refusal to renew the permit, unless the province takes the reigns in supervising the bulk water facility.

This will entail the management and operation of the bulk water plant.

For the financial aspect, the provincial treasurer or his representative will be put in charge.

Similarly, the provincial engineer or his representative will now overlook the technical aspects of the operations.

"All funds that shall be collected and shall be disbursed in the course of the operations shall all be deposited in one account… It will be a joint account for which the governor will be a signatory," Garcia said.

She added that the approval of disbursement will be done by the board where the province will have at least one representative.  GAN (FREEMAN)