Lao slams Cobi anew over use of aging plant

By NITZ ARANCON
Correspondent .

COUNCILOR Teodulfo Lao Jr. yesterday hurled brickbats at the Cagayan de Oro Water District’s bulk water supplier over what he said was its dependency on the aging water treatment plant built by Rio Verde Water Consortium Inc. in Bukidnon.

Lao’s sharp criticism came in the wake of the Manny V. Pangilinan-controlled Cagayan de Oro Bulk Water Inc.’s water delivery shortfall as a result of water pump problems in the Baungon water treatment plant.

Cobi’s daily water deliveries to the COWD dropped from the required 60 million liters to 40 million since last week, hurting the water supply in western parts of the city up to Opol town in Misamis Oriental.

Cobi is unable to fix a damaged water pump impellar shop at presstime, and the delivery shortfall may be experienced until next month, according to the COWD.

COWD chairman Eduardo Montalvan said Cobi was waiting for a spare part to be shipped from Manila. After delivery, it would be sent to a machine shaft for retrofitting.

Councilor Lao, a staunch critic of the COWD-Cobi bulk supply contract, described the way Cobi has been running the former Rio Verde plant as “palpak.”

He said many water consumers are being inconvenienced by the conking parts of the Baungon facility, not to mention that the frequent temporary shutdowns translate to losses on the part of consumers.

Lao criticized Cobi for merely taking over the Rio Verde-constructed facility without upgrading it the way it should.

“Ngalan lang ang ilang gibag-o. Gikan sa Rio Verde, gihimong Cobi, pero ang ilang mga facilities, polos daan kay Rio Verde man ang tag-iya anang ilang  water treatment plant,” he said.

Lao said the COWD should have asked the Pangilinan group to upgrade or replace Rio Verde’s equipment as a contractual condition to ensure a stable water supply.

“Mao nang apiktado gyud ang water supply sa COWD kay magsigi man ug kada-ot lang ilang  water facilities,” he said.

Lao said the technical and mechanical problems confronting Cobi now only highlight the need for new players in order to ensure Cagayan de Oro’s water security.

He said the city council did the right thing in approving the entry of other groups keen on competing with the COWD. He said the city council is open to more investors.

“Ang gusto nato nga lakip mga lagyong barangay dunay tubig kay sa pagka karon, dili man kaya sa Cobi nga suplayan sa tubig ang mga hinterland barangays. Nagkinahanglan pa gyud ta sa dugang water suppliers,” Lao said.