Tabuelan town waterworks system now operational

CEBU, Philippines - After being stalled for almost three years, the P19-million waterworks system project in Tabuelan town is now fully operational and will be formally inaugurated on Wednesday.

Tabuelan Mayor Rex Casiano Gerona said the signing of the amended Memorandum of Agreement between the provincial government and the municipality will also happen during the inauguration.

As part of the amendment, the Capitol is waiving the project, including the agreement on the proceeds of its operation, to the municipal government.

“Naa man pod to’y agreement sa una nga maghinay-hinay mi og bayad sa nagasto sa province. Gi-ammend na siya nga di na lang mi pabayron,” Gerona told The FREEMAN.

The agreement was entered into by the province in April 2012 during the administration of former governor, now third district Representative Gwendolyn Garcia.

It was agreed upon that the province would implement and undertake the construction while the operation and management of the said water system shall be undertaken by the municipality, subject to applicable rules and regulations and consultation with the province.

As provided in the original agreement, 50 percent of the gross proceeds and revenues of the operation of the water system shall accrue to the province and the remaining 50 percent shall accrue to the municipality to be used exclusively in its operation, management, and maintenance.

Gerona said the amended agreement will allow the town to take over the management and the operation of the waterworks system.

The province earlier granted the town P2 million for the replacement of the pipes for the transmission of potable water sourced from Gumbang Spring to a reservoir in Barangay Mabunao.

Gerona said the town only spent around P1 million for the labor.  (FREEMAN)