MCWD urged: Come up with water agenda

CEBU, Philippines — Officials of the Metropolitan Cebu Water District Employees Union (MEU) and the Alliance of Government Workers in the Water (AGWWAS) have urged the water district to come up with a water agenda and address the urgency of satisfying the consumers’ right to quality service.

MEU president Abigail A. Almeria said that in coming up with a water agenda, the MCWD should consider the rehabilitation of dilapidated distribution lines and reduction of system losses.

“We encourage to reduce the losses, even one percent is already big which can be transferred to the water supply. And we have to change the old pipelines,” said Almeria.

She said that some of the pipelines currently utilized by MCWD were still from the old Osmeña water works and has not been changed until this day. Almeria said that there should be construction of additional water reservoirs in elevated areas and proactive measures against illegal water connections.

Other measures suggested by the employees union for efficient water services is the in-house development of additional water sources; implementation of an effective pipeline expansion program; watershed protection; and an efficient sanitation and sewage treatment system.

Victor Chiong, AGGWAS president, also expressed his vehement opposition to water privatization. He shared that there are implications that comes with it “the existing efficient service rendered by the districts will be hindered by the interest of the profit-oriented private capitalist, which could dominate ownership up to 60% of the districts. Water service will then shift to the commercialization of the utilities.”

Chiong also shared that the only viable and long-term solution of the water crisis is the people’s effective control over the water systems and resources.

“People’s control ensures the equitable, sustainable, and rational use of water for the general social good,” said Chiong.

The officials of the two organizations were concerned that the primary obligation of the water district had been sidelined and drowned out by the controversy regarding the termination of the members of the MCWD board of directors.

Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella, who has authority to appoint members of the MCWD board, earlier issued a termination order against all five members of the board. Board chairman Joel Mari Yu opted to resign but the four others opted to stay challenging Labella’s order.

The termination order is currently under review by the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA). FPL (FREEMAN)