Iligan dads give no objection to JE Hydro

By Nora Soriño
Iligan City Bureau Chief
Dennis Soriño
Correspondent

ILIGAN City ― In its regular session last Friday, the Sanggunian Panlunsod finally gave a resolution of no objection to a private company JE Hydro and Bio Energy Corporation to help serve the water concerns of the city.

In a vote of nine in favor against four who voted no, the resolution of no objection therefore pushed through, said Samuel ‘Tatay’ Huertas.

The members of the majority councilors under the ticket of Mayor Siao numbering seven, although the councilor representing the indigenous people and the ABC president Cesarve Siacor also voted yes.

Those who voted no were Nicole Capangpangan, Ryan Ong, Jake Balanay, & Michaela Caballero representing the Sanguniang Kabataan.

Councilors Providencio Abragan Jr. and Michelle Sweet were not present at the said session.

Huertas said that the resolution given did not cite the cost of such services as the said costing will have to get the approval of the National Water Resources Board. Earlier though, Joy N. Tito, product development officer of JE Hydro said the cost per cubic meter is P50.

The present cost per cubic meter under the Iligan City Waterworks System (ICWS) is P2.

However, years ago the SP had come up with a resolution increasing the cost to 6 pesos per cubic meter. The three who had voted against the resolution, Ong, Capangpangan, and Caballero said the resolution is anti-poor. While Balanay said “lacking in details” which is the principal reason why he voted no.

It was also learned that earlier in 2023 another water facility called Hanabana Corporation was given a resolution of no objection. But the opposition was silent on the matter.

After the said session, councilor Betsy Zalsos was asked by a reporter about a post on social media that “seven councilors were given P1.5 million each,” and replied that the person who posted it could be liable for libel.