Garcia wants lower water rate for Carmen residents

CEBU, Philippines — Instead of the proposed P10 to P12 water rate, residents of Carmen town will only have to pay P5.80 per cubic following the agreement between the Cebu Provincial Government and Cebu Manila Water Development Inc. (CMWDI).

The decision was reached after Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia told the town officials to prioritize public interest over profit.

Sugbo News reported that Garcia emphasized during a meeting with the town officials on Wednesday, November 4, that profit and politics should not be a consideration in fixing the water rates. The governor stepped in upon learning that the town officials have yet to agree on the water rates while the launching of the new water system is drawing near.

"Kani man gud nga isyuha, wala usa ni pamolitika kay ang mga tawo whether kauban or dili, nagkinahanglan og tubig. Unya nanumpa man ta, may'g wa ta nanumpa nga moalagad gyud ta. Unya karon palang sayoha, namolitika nata, na makagaba raba ning tawo," said Garcia.

"Kinahanglan man gud ni sa tawo gud. Unya kun mao na lay naka-hold up, nakadugay, nakapalangay tungod sa pamolitika gaba-an ta's mga tawo nga nagkinahanglan. I tell you og di ta mamolitika ron unya buhaton lang nato ang kinahanglan sa tawo, ang tawo ray mobawos nato," she added.

Since the development of the new water system cost the province, Garcia said the town does not need to profit from it.

"Ang pagdevelop anang tubig ana run, wa mo'y cost kay Province man ang nigasto, so mahitabo ana that's automatically taken out from the per cubic price or taripa nga inyo i-charge kung naghunahuna pa mo og return of investment," she said.

The meeting was attended by Mayor Carlo Villamor, Vice Mayor Al Silvestre Damiles and six town councilors.

Villamor said he felt the sincerity of the governor, adding that they will serve the public and set aside the politics. The town is targeting to start distributing water supply to around 400 households in Barangays Cogon East, Cogon West, Poblacion and Baring on the first week of December.— /FPL (FREEMAN)