CITY Councilor James Judith moved on March 3 to declare the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), along with its interim general manager and board, as persona non grata.
However, the motion was deferred after Majority Floor Leader Edgar Cabanlas argued that LWUA should be given a chance.
On March 4, Judith reiterated his call, questioning what opportunity LWUA still needed.
“Wala man gikatigan sa mayorya (the persona non grata), pero sa akong pagsabot, para kanako, kani atong gi agian karon, unsa pa man nga chance atong ihatag. Nabulabog naman gani ta,” said Judith.
He argued that LWUA's intervention had caused inconvenience and distress among consumers and insisted that the declaration was due.
Despite his stance, Judith acknowledged the floor leader’s position but maintained that the council would eventually declare LWUA persona non grata.
LWUA, in a statement, reaffirmed its regulatory authority under Presidential Decree 198 and defended its intervention in the Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD).
The agency emphasized its efforts in collecting overdue accounts, reducing non-revenue water, and implementing cost-cutting measures.
Judith clarified that a persona non grata declaration would not prevent LWUA from operating in Cagayan de Oro but would signify the city’s disapproval of its actions.
“Ang persona non-grata deklarasyon raman gud na. Di mana pasabot dili naka pasudlon. Wala man mi in ana nga power. Dili lang ka welcome. Giyam-iran ka namo pero wala gyud pasabot nga amo kang barahon pag anhi diri,” Judith said.
Persona non grata is a Latin term that means “an unwelcome person.” It is commonly used in diplomatic and legal contexts to refer to an individual or entity that is no longer welcome in a particular place or jurisdiction.
