IN a crucial development, Cagayan de Oro City faced a sudden water supply disruption earlier Tuesday when Cagayan de Oro Bulk Inc. (COBI) unexpectedly terminated its services at 10 a.m., leaving many residents without access to clean water.
Addressing the crisis, City Mayor Rolando "Klarex" Uy promptly called a press briefing at 8 p.m. to declare that the water service would be restored shortly after obtaining a court-issued TRO.
During the said briefing, by 9 p.m. that Tuesday evening, he confirmed that the water supply had been reinstated to address the immediate requirements of the community.
The city government had notified Rio Verde earlier in the evening about reactivating the water supply, and plans to send court order to COBI by tomorrow (Wednesday) about the resumption of services.
To legally address the issue, Lawyer Edgardo Cabanlas, the city council's majority floor leader, disclosed that the Regional Trial Court of Misamis Oriental, Branch 17, granted a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) against Metropac Water Investments Corporation (MWIC), COBI, and Rio Verde Water Consortium Inc.
The court order, issued by Judge Ana Candida Casiño, prevents these companies from cutting off the water supply to the Cagayan de Oro City Water District (COWD), which had sought the injunction.
The TRO will last for seventy-two hours from its issuance, providing immediate relief to the residents and emphasizing the critical need for continuous access to water.
Judge Casiño's ruling underscores the importance of maintaining essential services and addresses the immediate water supply concerns in Cagayan de Oro.
Like COWD's general manager, Antonio Young, Mayor Uy assured the public that water service would gradually return to normal, beginning Tuesday evening, with full stabilization expected by Thursday, even in the city's more remote and lower areas.
The court cases involved, detailed in the court documents, include those filed by COWD and private citizen Ronnie M. Waniwan and former city councilor Enrico D. Salcedo.
The court recognized a clear right to water, a significant violation of this right by the respondents, and the necessity to prevent irreparable harm.
The urgent judicial intervention aims to prevent substantial and immediate harm to residents, industries, businesses, and public services across Cagayan de Oro, highlighting water's indispensable role in community welfare.
“The case is now with the courts,” stated Cabanlas, adding that the TRO also serves as a temporary injunction.
He noted that if a permanent injunction is sought, or if the legality of the contract is challenged, both parties will need to present their arguments.
The case is expected to be heard by the courts within 72 hours, said Cabanlas.
Mayor Uy also emphasized that Judge Casiño's order is crucial for ensuring that residents do not suffer from water shortages, a basic human necessity, thereby maintaining the community's stability and health during this critical period.
COWD also reported that water supplied by Rio Verde Water Consortium, Inc. resumed following the court's TRO against COBI.
"Water flow is gradually increasing, currently at 796 cubic meters per hour at the West Take-off Point and 528 cubic meters per hour at the East Take-off Point, with expected normalization soon," as stated in a communication received by this paper at 10 p.m. same day.
Meanwhile, water delivery efforts continue with support from the CDO Water Task Force volunteers, according to Engr. Young.
