PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has stepped into the local water dispute, directing the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) to explore taking over the management of the cash-strapped Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD).
Marcos, who flew in from Manila, said he asked business tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan, owner of Cagayan de Oro Bulk Water Inc. (Cobi), to restore the water supply in the city until the government finds a long-term solution to the problem.
Cobi and COWD are at loggerheads over a disputed P479 million debt that the local water district refuses to pay.
Last Tuesday, Cobi cut off the water supply to at least 13 barangays. COWD countered with a 72-hour Temporary Restraining Order issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 17.
Marcos, who arrived Thursday morning to distribute El Niño assistance to farmers in Northern Mindanao, said he reached out to Pangilinan after learning about the issue.
He said Pangilinan agreed not to cut off the water supply to the city water district’s 60,000 consumers.
“When I found out, I talked to Mr. Manny Pangilinan of Cagayan de Oro Bulk Water Inc. to restore normal water supply while we look for a lasting solution to this problem,” Marcos said.
“We will not allow the people of Cagayan de Oro to be denied their right to adequate, clean, and safe water supply,” the President added.
