AMIDST the controversial water supply agreements in Cagayan de Oro, the city’s Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) has penned a heartfelt letter to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., seeking support against the potential intervention by the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) in the city’s water affairs.
In a bold move to protect Cagayan de Oro residents’ interests, the ABC, led by its president, City Councilor Alam Lim, along with the majority of ABC members, has taken a stand against what they believe is an unjust involvement of the LWUA in the Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD).
The letter addressed to President Marcos underscores the city’s demand for autonomy in resolving the contractual dispute between COWD and the Cagayan de Oro Bulkwater Incorporated (COBI).
Signed by Lim, the letter highlights the absence of a water crisis in the city, arguing that the real issue stems from the burdensome contract made by the previous water district administration with COBI.
Lim and his constituents assert that the contract, deemed disadvantageous to the people, should be legally voided, as its terms pose a significant burden on the citizens.
The ABC’s manifesto, endorsed to the President’s office, represents the collective voice of Cagayan de Oro’s barangay leaders.
It expresses their earnest plea for the President to intervene and prevent the LWUA from taking over the local water district, a move they believe would compromise the welfare of the city’s populace.
The letter underscores the city’s determination to maintain control over its water resources and independently resolve its issues within the law.
Lim emphasizes the city’s desire to handle the current contractual disagreements through competent legal mechanisms rather than external interference.
The President’s response to this appeal could set a precedent for local governance and the autonomy of water districts across the Philippines.
The people of Cagayan de Oro await his decision with bated breath, hoping for a resolution that upholds their rights and secures their water supply without onerous burdens.
The ABC’s move, orchestrated by Lim, is seen as a courageous effort to safeguard the city’s interests against larger administrative bodies.
The outcome of this appeal may greatly influence the future of public utilities management and the role of local government units in the Philippines, according to Lim.
As the situation unfolds, Lim maintains that the citizens of Cagayan de Oro are closely monitoring the events, hopeful that their voices will be heard, and that the city can continue to manage its water resources effectively and fairly, without undue influence from national government entities.
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