MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon – The Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) announced its takeover of the city government-run Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD) on Friday.
The office of LWUA chairman Ronnie Ong sent a copy to the Philippine News Agency of Board Resolution 34, series of 2024, highlighting the takeover of COWD operations and water supply distribution in Cagayan de Oro City.
"During the full takeover of the water district, interim board members and an interim general manager shall be appointed by the LWUA administrator," Ong was quoted in the LWUA statement, citing the board meeting that took place on Friday.
LWUA said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. himself directed the takeover after "thoroughly assessing" the official documents submitted by COWD.
The LWUA resolution presented short-term and long-term solutions to the water supply situation in Cagayan de Oro City, including implementing a viable non-revenue water program.
LWUA vowed to operate the entire facilities, systems, or properties of COWD "in an efficient manner consistent with sound legal, administrative, and financial practices."
The interim board of directors was directed to address any irregularities and problems in COWD's accounts and its obligation to LWUA, suppliers, and consumers. It was also tasked to implement measures to "address all violations and the causes of default."
Marcos visited Cagayan de Oro City on Thursday and said he had talked with business tycoon Manuel Pangilinan about resuming the city's bulk water supply.
Pangilinan owns the majority share of the Cagayan de Oro Bulk Water Inc. (COBI), a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Water Investments Corp. (Metro Pac), which cut off the city's water supply by 40 percent due to an alleged unpaid PHP479 million balance by the city government.
COBI cut off its service to COWD at 10 a.m. Tuesday, affecting over 40 percent of the city's population in the western part of Cagayan de Oro City.
The water service was restored hours after the local government managed to secure a temporary restraining order against the water supplier. (PNA)
The Philippine News Agency is a web-based newswire service of the Philippine government under the supervision of the News and Information Bureau (NIB) of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).