THE office of Mayor Rolando “Klarex” Uy has released a detailed fact-checking statement addressing the claims made by former Mayor Oscar Moreno during a March 6 interview on Magnum 45, a morning radio program on Magnum Radio.
The statement aims to clarify the controversies surrounding the Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD) and Cagayan de Oro Bulkwater Inc. (COBI) partnership, according to Mayor Uy’s political spokesman, BenCyrus Ellorin.
During the interview, former Mayor Moreno stated that he was not a witness to the signing of the contract between COWD and COBI in August 2017 but merely attended the photo op, as the contract had already been signed.
The city mayor’s office confirmed that regardless of his presence at the signing, the contract carried his approval and support, implying that he cannot fully dissociate himself from the agreement.
Moreno also claimed that the negotiations between COWD and COBI were already ongoing when he assumed office at City Hall.
However, the city mayor’s office refutes this, stating that it is not true. The fact-check reveals that MetroPac Water Investments Corp submitted an unsolicited proposal to COWD for a Bulk Water Supply Agreement in 2015, with a Swiss challenge occurring in 2016, which saw participation from Mactan Rock Industries, Inc. and Manila Water Company, Inc.
The former mayor also claimed that the majority of the COWD Board were no his appointees at the time of signing the Bulk Water Supply Contract with COBI. The office fact-checked this and confirmed that it was false.
The five-person COWD Board in 2017 included Moreno’s appointees: Chairman Ed Montalban, Hilly Ann Quiaoit, Mateo Delegencia, and Concepcion Quiblat, as opposed to only Soc Anthony Del Rosario.
In 2016, when the Swiss challenge was conducted, Moreno’s appointees already comprised the majority of the Cowd board, with Montalvan, Quiblat, and Delegencia opposing Soc del Rosario and Joel Baldelovar.
Moreno mentioned that the city allocated a P500 million interest-free loan to COWD for pipeline upgrades in 2021, which were not implemented due to delays which lasted until the election period ban.
Moreno questioned why his successor Mayor Uy did not carry out its implementation.
The mayor’s office clarified that the P500 million seed fund for COWD was included in the 2020 budget, which was near the start of Moreno’s third term.
Records at the city budget office, according to Ellorin, indicate that the non-implementation occurred during Moreno’s term and that the money was realigned to other uses.
Lastly, Moreno suggested that the current troubles with COBI were due to Mayor Uy wanting to introduce another player into the mix.
The city mayor’s office has called this claim baseless, highlighting that Mayor Uy only entertained offers and considered other players as an option on March 6, 2024.
“The city mayor’s office has taken these steps to ensure that the public is provided with accurate information and that misunderstandings are cleared up,” said Ellorin.
The office emphasizes the importance of transparency and accountability, particularly in matters that affect the city’s water supply and infrastructure.
Residents are encouraged to stay informed and engage in constructive dialogue to contribute to the city’s development and governance, according to Ellorin.
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