Where is the 40-T cu.m. Potable water?

By PJTremedal

Cagayan de Oro City – At least 70-80-T cubic meters of potable water is needed by Cagayanons every day, says City Mayor Constantino “Tinnex” Jaraula who is initiating an water reservoir costing to more or less 4-Million and forge a deal with RioVerde as the water consortium with or without the Cagayan de Oro Water District.

In a recent press conference, City Mayor Jaraula said that the 40-T cubic meters of potable water now paid by the COWD to the said water consortium only serve the west side of the city that is why for the past two years of his administration, the Indahag water Reservoir is what the city needs to accommodate another 800 cubic meter reserve for the eastern side Cagayan de Oro.

“If COWD chooses to be a party to the agreement well and good, If not the project will continue,” he said.

It may be recalled, that the planned project was opposed by FLOW because of what it called “onerous” provisions in the contract. FLOW (First Labor Union of Water District) is the union of COWD employees that go against the signing of the tri-partite contract between the City Administration, Rio Verde and the water district that would be oblige to pay the consortium for the 10-t daily supply.

The reservoir which will be built in Indahag is the highest point for water distribution. Its distribution would use “gravity” that will definitely distribute water to the eastern part of the city.

“It is not because I own six hectares of land in the area but it is the highest point” he explained.

The proposed project was finalized last July, but it was delayed because of what had happened between the COWD Management and its board.

“This is the only entity I know where the union is dictating the Board” Jaraula said.

In a recent Supreme Court decision in Cebu, independent water supplier can be tap for and establish a new water system in an area that it needs. This prompted the mayor to pursue the project of the Indahag Water reservoir and for its distribution a cooperative may be born and manage the new water system.

“The cooperatives can do this” He adds. Late this month, 20-t signatures from people from all walks of life citing the COWD to become a cooperative because of what had happened few days ago when it face a mess within them.

Said cooperative proposal was also pushed by the Cooperative Development Authority and local cooperatives.

City Mayor Jaraula added that as of now, COWD is buying 40 thousand cubic meters of water from Rio Verde but never a single drop of it goes to the eastern part of Cagayan de Oro City.

“Now we ask where are the 40 thousand cubic meter of water, is a fact that even the communities located in the western side of the city cried foul against COWD because of its failure to provide and continuous and abundant supply of water.” The mayor said.

COWD’s non water revenue or water wastage has reached 56 percent and this City Mayor wants the facility explains about it. He called COWD,” incompetent, inefficient and callous”.

PHILIP JAMES MONGAYA TREMEDAL
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