EMBROILED Cagayan de Oro City Water District (COWD) General Manager Engr. Antonio Young is calling it quits.
In a document obtained by Gold Star Daily through a COWD insider, Young tendered his early retirement from the city-owned water facility to COWD Chairperson Nelia B. Lee on August 5.
“It is with (a) heavy heart that I am tendering my irrevocable and final decision to retire early from my position as the General Manager of the (COWD) effective August 31,” Young’s letter reads in part.
He attributed the decision to his health, stating it was made after careful consideration and consultation with his family and physician.
“This decision has been incredibly difficult, but after careful consideration and consultation with my family and my physician, I have concluded that it is in the best interest of my health and family,” Young’s letter continues.
Young, who has been suspended pending an investigation by the Local Water Utilities Administration, declined to comment on his sudden departure.
In a brief text message to Gold Star Daily, he simply stated, “Sorry. Please. No comment lang ko.” Young, however, did not deny that he had filed for early retirement.
In the same one-page document, Young suggested to Lee that Engr. Edna Najeal, Suldie Laranjo, and Engr. Alex Abangan could function as general manager in an acting capacity while the COWD Board of Directors deliberate his replacement.
However, it can be recalled that Najeal and Laranjo have been subpoenaed by the National Bureau of Investigation-10 to provide evidence related to an ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities within the COWD.
The COWD Board of Directors acknowledged receipt of Young’s resignation letter on August 6, with Chairperson Lee signing off on its approval the following day.
Efforts to reach Lee for comment were unsuccessful, as she does not hold office at the water facility’s main office.
Notably absent recently was the daily picket rally that had become a fixture outside COWD’s main office on Corrales Street. No demonstrators were present when Gold Star Daily checked at noon.
