FORMER Mayor Oscar Moreno has pledged to grant an interest-free loan to the Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD) should he return to office, aiming to resolve its nearly P500 million debt to its bulk water supplier.
Speaking at the ‘Pakighinabi Serye’ in Sunrise, Mambuaya, on March 23, Moreno addressed concerns over the financial woes of the city-owned water district.
He dismissed allegations that he was responsible for the crisis due to his past involvement in allowing Metro Pacific to invest in COWD.
Instead, he suggested that others had sought commissions from investors.
“Malooy ang Ginoo, buligan kita. Atong atimanon ang water district. Ang city government mo-grant ug loan — interest-free loan,” Moreno said.
He also revealed that before leaving office, he had left P500 million in city funds that could have assisted the water district.
“Anugon wala gamita. Anugon kaayo kay tabang unta kana sa water district,” he lamented.
Moreno pointed out the need to welcome new water investors to prevent monopoly control over water pricing.
He said that competition would help regulate prices and warned against corruption that could deter major investors.
“Kung naay competition, dili makontrolar ang pricing sa usa ka grupo,” he noted.
Meanwhile, 1st District Rep. Lordan Suan, who is running under the Padayon Pilipino slate alongside Moreno, announced that he had secured a P150 million budget for pipeline improvements in Iponan this year.
He committed to seeking annual funding to replace the city’s aging water infrastructure.
"Hantod atong maalisdan ni atong mga karaan nga pipes," Suan said, adding that outdated pipelines contribute to the city's non-revenue water losses.
The city’s spokesperson, Janboy Actub, has yet to comment on Moreno’s claim that no investors have shown interest in Cagayan de Oro’s water sector.
