Benhur backs creation of water district

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu fourth district Rep. Benhur Salimbangon has supported the establishment of the Daanbantayan Water District.

In a meeting with officials of the DWD and the Local Water Utilities Authority in his district office in Bogo City recently, Salimbangon encouraged the officials to proceed with the project.

Salimbangon even encouraged the DWD officials to avail of the financial assistance in a form of loan or grant from LWUA to start the operation of the project like what he did when he was general manager of the Cebu Electric Cooperative (Cebeco) II.

“Ayaw mo kahadlok anang loan,” he told DWD officials.

Salimbangon also promised to allocate from his Priority Development Assistance Fund although no amount yet was mentioned as he is also looking at developing water systems in the entire district and putting up faucets in every household.

LWUA representative Engr. Ma. Eda Censon said that DWD can avail itself of a loan up to P25 million.

The said loan shall be paid after 25 years of operation of the local water district with 7.5 percent interest.

Censon asked DWD officials to approve a resolution requesting LWUA for financial assistance in a form of loan or a grant and should be endorsed by the congressman.

Initially, DWD officials planned to get a loan of P18 million to be distributed to 18 barangays in mainland Daanbantayan for the connection of water pipes.

LWUA and DWD officials are now conducting a series of consultation in all barangays of Daanbantayan.

All the existing water systems in the barangays shall be formed into a local water district under the supervision of LWUA which will provide technical assistance in the operation.

The upgrading of the town into a first-class municipality prompted Mayor Sun Shimura and Vice Mayor Maria Luisa Loot to establish a water district out of the existing water systems in the barangays. — Gregg M. Rubio/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)