THE Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD) is actively addressing its water issues, as revealed by CAWSA convenor lawyer Proculo Sarmen and interim COWD General Manager Fermin Jarales.
Earlier, President Ferdinand Marcos directed the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) to study solutions, especially for issues like Non-Revenue Water (NRW), to reduce water wastage quickly.
Jarales mentioned that the contract dispute between COWD and COBI (Cagayan de Oro Bulk Inc.) is currently in court.
He stated that a preliminary injunction ensures that neither COBI nor Rio Verde will cut off the water supply to COWD.
"This legal step offers some security for the water supply," Jarales said.
He also highlighted that administrative, operational, and technical interventions could bring improvements and reforms.
Consultants from the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) will collaborate with COWD's technical team.
Interim management and the Board of Directors, including Engineer Tony Young, have agreed to work together.
Regarding the controversial contract, Jarales emphasized that the courts should handle it first. The focus will then shift to addressing the outcomes of the legal process.
When asked about solving COWD's problems, Jarales explained that the interim management's role is to support COWD with technical, administrative, and operational help, including access to national financial resources.
They are consolidating support from all stakeholders and plan to implement this year's strategies while developing short, medium, and long-term plans for future inclusion in the National Expenditure Program.
Proculo Sarmen of CAWSA expressed strong support for a recent multi-sectoral consultation led by Jarales.
The meeting, held at the COWD Board Room, aimed to tackle the ongoing water crisis in Cagayan de Oro City.
During the meeting, Jarales shared his initial assessment and a comprehensive plan to address water issues.
The plan includes short, medium, and long-term solutions to be implemented over the next six months to five years, aiming for a stable water supply for the city.
The consultation included CAWSA convenors, Bantay Tubig advocates, and representatives from the Xavier Science Foundation (XSF), including Executive Director Roel Ravanera.
This meeting initiated a series of pre-planning activities to create a Multi-Sectoral Integrated Water Security Plan.
One key outcome will be the Metro CDO Water Security Framework (MCDOWSF), planned for June 13-14.
This framework will guide the planning, projects, and budgets of institutions responsible for water supply and distribution.
It will also provide guidelines for protecting and conserving water resources while balancing environmental conservation with urban growth.
From June 16 to July 16, water management offices and institutions will draft detailed plans under this framework.
These plans will include budget proposals for the National Expenditure Program (NEP) and the General Appropriations Act (GAA).
The process is based on the principle that water utilities should be state-owned and operated.
According to Sarmen, the state must protect, supply, distribute, and conserve water resources and ensure access to clean water.
The meeting underscored the importance of collaboration among different sectors to address the water crisis. CAWSA, along with Xavier University and Bantay Tubig, pledged support to Jarales and his plan, believing that a collaborative approach is key to successful implementation.
Jarales thanked the participants for their support and emphasized the need for ongoing cooperation.
He expressed optimism that with everyone's collective efforts, the water crisis in Cagayan de Oro can be effectively addressed.
The upcoming Metro CDO Water Security Framework is expected to be a significant milestone in ensuring water security for the city.
CAWSA and its partners are dedicated to working closely with COWD and other institutions to achieve this goal.
As the process continues, CAWSA and other organizations will keep advocating for policies and actions that prioritize water security.
They are hopeful that Jarales's comprehensive plan will lead to sustainable solutions for the water issues in Cagayan de Oro.
