CAGAYAN de Oro City Mayor Rolando “Klarex” Uy on Friday declared that the city is ready with a contingency plan should Cagayan de Oro Bulk Inc. (COBI) cut off the water supply on March 31.
This announcement came on a tension-filled Friday, as the COBI made known its intentions to proceed with the disconnection due to unresolved financial disputes.
The conflict, which has been simmering between COBI and the Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD), has escalated to the point where the stability of the city’s water services hangs in the balance.
In response, Mayor Uy has activated a task force as detailed in Executive Order No. 109 – 2024, on Wednesday.
The task force is now digging deep into the city’s water supply conditions to find a resolution and is exploring alternative water sources to ensure that residents won’t face disruptions, according to Uy.
The Mayor announced during his city’s radio program interview that the executive order establishing the task force is intended to be resilient in the face of challenges.
It includes a reparability clause to keep the task force operational even if parts of the order are contested and a repealing clause to eliminate any conflicting orders from the past.
This task force, he said is a clear sign of the city’s dedication to solving the water supply issues and keeping the public’s health and safety at the forefront.
The members’ combined knowledge and resolve make them well-equipped to steer the city through these difficult times.
This team composed of city council members, legal advisors, disaster risk managers, firefighters, and police officers, shares a common goal: ensuring residents have ongoing access to clean and safe water.
The task force, co-chaired by City Councilor and Majority Floor Leader Councilor Edgardo Cabanlas, is determined to confront the issue head-on.
In a bold statement, Cabanlas said, “Every time you send us a letter, everybody is trembling, so cut it off if you want to, we will not beg, that’s very simple.” This reflects the council’s strong stance against COBI’s threat.
Lawyer Roberto Rodrigo representing Metro Pacific Water, highlighted the severity of the issue, marking March 31st as a critical date.
If the outstanding debt is not settled by then, COBI may take legal action, including the extreme step of turning off the city’s water supply, according to Rodrigo.
Uy said the task force is now delving into the city’s water supply conditions, searching for both immediate and long-term solutions to this pressing conflict.
Their goals include finding alternative sources of water, and a proactive strategy to prevent any disruption of this vital service.
The executive order establishing the task force is fortified with clauses to ensure its resilience, said Mayor Uy.
A separability clause guarantees that the task force can continue its work even if parts of the order are legally contested. A repealing clause also exists to override any previous conflicting orders.
Mayor Uy added that the Cagayan de Oro Special Task Force for Water Supply and Distribution has thus become a symbol of the city government’s dedication to addressing and resolving the water supply challenges.
The combined expertise and determination of the task force members Uy said are essential as they navigate these challenging circumstances, always prioritizing the well-being of the city’s residents.
Also during the program, Mayor Uy shared his thoughts on a potential water rate increase.
He stated that he is not opposed to the idea, provided the increase is reasonable and the public remains satisfied with their water services.
This statement comes as COBI demands payment for the rate hike, contributing to an existing debt of over 426 million pesos.
The city is grappling with the dispute, which stems from a significant unpaid bill that COBI claims COWD owes.
The disagreement originates from rate increases initiated by COBI, which COWD, strained by the COVID-19 pandemic’s financial repercussions, chose not to follow.
COWD has been purchasing water from COBI at a fixed rate since 2020 but did not adhere to subsequent rate hikes in 2021 and 2024.
This disagreement resulted in a current debt of P437,057,627.52. COBI for the fourth time warned that failure to settle this debt within a 30-day notice period could lead to a cessation of water supply.
If COBI follows through with the disconnection, COWD’s contingency plans include valve adjustments, water deliveries, and rationing to lessen the community’s burden.
Negotiations between COWD and COBI are ongoing, with Mayor Klarex actively involved, recognizing the potential city-wide impact of service disruption.
Meanwhile, the Acting Chief of the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), Eileen de la Vega, has been brought into the conversation. She clarified that the LWUA, which is supposed to oversee the development of water systems, has no role in the COWD-COBI deal, as the contract falls under the jurisdiction of the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC).
As the city council’s committee met as whole led by Cabanlas, looks into the dispute, residents and officials alike wait for a resolution that will secure the water supply for Cagayan de Oro and its citizens.
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