Capitol to supervise Carmen water firm

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Provincial Government may soon be overseeing the operations of the bulk water facility in the Luyang River in the Municipality of Carmen.

In an interview with Governor Gwen Garcia, she disclosed that Carmen Mayor Carlo Villamor will not renew the permit for the operation of the Province of Cebu and Manila Water Consortium Incorporated’s (MWCI) offshoot company, Cebu Manila Water Development Inc., unless the MCWI passes the supervision of the bulk water facility to the province.

A mayor’s permit is required for the bulk water facility to legally continue its operation.

“Niingon ang mayor sa Carmen na di na kuno i-renew unless Carmen gets the assurance that henceforth, it will be the Provincial Government that will supervise all operations of the Cebu Manila Water Consortium. Meaning that Manila Water signs a commitment to turn over supervision over the operation,” she said.

This was reportedly discussed during the December 20, 2019 meeting between the governor and Manila Water Consortium President Virgilio Rivera.

Villamor was also present in the meeting.

“And in that meeting, sa December 20, the mayor of Carmen was present and he stated because of his loss of trust with Manila Water…”, the governor told reporters.

To recall, part of the Joint Investment Agreement between the province and MWCI was to improve Carmen’s water distribution problems. At present, despite being a bulk water source, Carmen faces constant water shortages.

This, among other violations allegedly committed by MWCI include the non-remittance of the province’s shares of revenue and the increase in the original project cost which prompted the province to sever the JIA through a provincial board resolution approved last December 9.

“We have sent back already the terms of reference for the protocol… and I believe we are setting the date for another meeting with Mr. Rivera.  That is when we will be discussing and, if all will be agreed upon, then we can sign,” she added.

Garcia stressed that while the province and MWCI are ironing out the termination of their JIA, an urgent priority between the two parties is the continued supply of 35 million liters of water per day to the Metropolitan Cebu area.

The December 20 meeting is the first of the series of talks to be done by Garcia and Rivera, as prescribed the JIA in the instance that a dispute arises between the two parent companies. (FREEMAN)