A preliminary meeting on Tuesday brought together the Citizens Alliance for Water Security Actions (Cawsa), the Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD), and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) to discuss the future of the city's water supply and distribution systems.
The talks focused on Cawsa’s proposal for COWD to retain ownership of its water infrastructure, a move seen as essential for ensuring reliable water management in Cagayan de Oro.
Cawsa convenor, lawyer Proculo Sarmen, suggested a legal forum to address ongoing water supply issues and reinforce COWD’s full ownership of the facilities.
Sarmen has approached Fermin V. Jarales, the Interim General Manager of COWD, and Virgilio A. Galarrita, President of the IBP-Misamis Oriental chapter, to co-host the event.
The proposed forum aims to involve various law schools in the city, providing a platform for legal experts and students to discuss water supply challenges.
According to Sarmen, this initiative would support COWD’s interim board in executing tasks mandated by the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), especially after LWUA’s resolution in May 2024 calling for full intervention.
Key issues to be addressed include resolving water supply problems, financial obligations, and potential violations or defaults. The forum will also explore the possibility of COWD acquiring facilities currently owned by Rio Verde Water Consortium and Cagayan de Oro Bulkwater, Inc. (Cobi) through eminent domain under Presidential Decree No. 198.
Sarmen highlighted the IBP’s public responsibility to conduct legal forums, suggesting that such a gathering could lead to collective citywide action. Cawsa representatives, led by Romeo Caylo, advocated for maintaining state ownership of the water systems, arguing that public management is crucial for securing jobs and service quality.
Concerns about potential privatization have sparked employee rallies, with fears of job losses and diminished security of tenure. Cawsa warned that privatization could jeopardize both employment and the consistent delivery of water services to residents.
COWD Interim General Manager Fermin Jarales, along with his team, expressed support for state ownership, aligning with Cawsa’s stance to ensure stability and transparency in operations. The IBP, represented by lawyer Happy Damasing, played a neutral role in the discussions, facilitating the meeting to ensure constructive dialogue.
A consensus was reached for future collaboration, with the IBP agreeing to handle logistics for upcoming forums, including participant arrangements and venue selection. Both COWD and IBP committed to sharing costs, emphasizing a cooperative approach to resolving the issue.
Meanwhile, Cobi's lawyer Rob Rodrigo has provided insights into the implications of such a transition. Currently, COWD operates its wells while Cobi supplies approximately one-third of the water distributed in the region, highlighting a long-standing partnership that has effectively met the community’s needs.
Rodrigo pointed out that any move towards full ownership by COWD would necessitate a significant financial investment.
“Given COWD’s current financial standing, the burden of such an investment raises concerns about its ability to maintain reliable service for consumers,” said Rodrigo, adding this financial strain could ultimately disrupt the quality and accessibility of water supply in Cagayan de Oro.
Instead of pursuing complete ownership, Rodrigo advocates for exploring collaborative solutions that enhance water supply management without imposing heavy financial risks on COWD.
He said that strengthening the partnership between Cobi and COWD could lead to innovative strategies that ensure sustainable water distribution while safeguarding the interests of the community.
