THE Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) has reaffirmed its regulatory authority under Presidential Decree 198, defending its intervention in the Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD) as a response to an impending water crisis affecting 30,000 to 40,000 households.
In a statement, LWUA said its May 29, 2024, intervention followed a directive from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The agency’s Board of Trustees approved the full takeover through Resolution No. 34, Series of 2024.
Since assuming control, LWUA said it has implemented measures to rehabilitate COWD, including collecting past-due accounts, reducing non-revenue water, and introducing cost-cutting initiatives.
These efforts are part of a five-year development plan spearheaded by Interim Manager Fermin Jarales and the Interim Board.
However, LWUA said the plan was delayed for three months due to the suspended board of directors’ refusal to cooperate.
To address the setback, the agency granted the interim leadership an extension.
“The immediate resolution of the complex problems is unfortunately complicated by interference from individuals who are trying to deter LWUA’s aim to make COWD viable and operational for residents,” the statement reads.
LWUA pointed out that it would not allow such interference to hinder its efforts and vowed to continue rehabilitating COWD in the public’s interest.
