MVP OK’s water supply restoration in CDO

MANILA, Philippines — Business tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan has agreed to restore water supply in Cagayan de Oro while the government is looking for solutions to water supply woes in the city, President Marcos said yesterday.

Pangilinan is chairman of Metro Pacific Investments Corp., whose core assets include Metro Pacific Water. Cagayan de Oro Bulk Water Inc. (COBI), which is among the bulk water supply companies of Metro Pacific Water.

COBI had earlier said it would cut supply to the Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD) over unpaid obligations.

Speaking during the distribution of aid to sectors hit by El Niño in Cagayan de Oro, Marcos said Pangilinan has expressed readiness to address the issue with the city government.

“I am aware of the water supply problem of the city that landed on the news. When I learned about it, I talked to Mr. Manny Pangilinan of Cagayan de Oro Bulk Water to restore the normal supply of water while we are looking for a long-term solution to this problem,” the President said.

“Mr. Pangilinan heeded our appeal and he is ready to meet with your mayor to put an end to this problem and to provide the needed water to more than 60,000 of our countrymen here in CDO,” Marcos added.

The President said he ordered the Local Water Utilities Administration to study a possible takeover of the COWD to look into solutions to the water supply issue as soon as possible.

“We will not allow the people of Cagayan de Oro to be deprived of their right to have enough clean and safe water supply,” the President said.

COBI welcomed the announcement of COWD to negotiate, saying a “mutually beneficial resolution through discussion” is the most effective way forward.

“We also firmly believe that the Local Water Utilities Administration is the perfect facilitator for the negotiation as it is in line with its mandate as a regulatory body,” it added.