PPP is ‘not privatization,’ says former Iligan dad

ILIGAN City ― A former city councilor here has emphasized that the Public Private Partnership (PPP) is “not privatization.”

This was the statement by Jose Zalzos, over a radio program, “Iligan, Kagahapon, Karon og Ugma.” The statement, however, is an “echo” of what City Mayor Frederick Siao stated among other things, in his State of Iligan City Address at the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology gym on July 21, adding that residents here should not be afraid of this as “this is just an option.”

To note, there are continuing complaints by the residents here on the subject of the water delivery system which leaves much to be desired, and the said matter is to be addressed through the PPP scheme.

Zalzos then cited as an example of the first Gaisano mall here, he said which is owned by the Lanao Norte government. After 25 years though, he added, per said agreement, ownership will revert back to the said government unit.

It can be recalled, in Mayor Siao’s address that “it is only this city that doesn’t have a partner.”

Roy Openiano, also a former city councilor and co-host of said radio program, manifested his agreement with what President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., mentioned among other things in his State of the Nation Address on July 24 that he is considering the establishment of the Department of Water Research Development, as this is necessary in the area of water security for the country.

Openiano said that in the area of tourism, there is the Department of Tourism; in the area of Peace and Order, there is the Philippine National Police, he said, even as in the area of Education there is the Local School Board. But as to Water, he said. there is nothing, so the Iligan City Water System acts as “the judge, at the same time the implementor of whatever it deems proper.

Former Mayor Lawrence Ll. Cruz another co-host, however, stated his reservations on the matter saying that “this might add to another bureaucratic layer.”

However, Openiano said that the role of the said department would “only be advisory.” Hence, there is no layer added.

The said ICWS is presently headed by Siao himself in a concurrent capacity, after the retirement of Engr. Josephus Albao as head of that agency, on February 28.