MCWD to pay P256T in taxes to Talisay City

The Metropolitan Cebu Water District will be paying their outstanding real property taxes to the Talisay City government after 11 years of non-payment.

But MCWD assistant general manager for finance Edgar Donoso, in his letter to Mayor Socrates Fernandez, gave conditions for the payment of P256, 945.58 from 1994 to 2005.

Donoso said the city must first refund their cash bond amounting to P1.5 million but with six-percent interest per month, which is already compounded annually in the amount of P1,761.243.

City legal officer Aurora Econg and city treasurer Emma Macuto said the city is willing to refund the P1.5 million cash bond but not the six percent interest that will amount to P261,243.

Econg argued that it was never stipulated in the Memorandum of Agreement, which was signed by former mayor Dehlia Tiu and MCWD board chairman Alfonso Albaño, that an interest will be asked.

"Nganong naa ma'y interest? We will refund the cash bond but no interest," Econg said.

Under the MOA signed in February 1994, the cash bond is required from the MCWD in favor of Talisay to be put up prior to the issuance of construction permit and can be withdrawn 360 calendar days after the date of operation.

The MCWD has 19 wells and the same number of pumping stations in Jaclupan Valley in Talisay.

Meanwhile, MCWD intensified its campaign to arrest more water meter thieves with the conviction and imprisonment of two men.

MCWD also rewarded its employee for apprehending the two thieves and the informants for helping in the arrest of the suspects.

The Municipal Trial Court in the Cities recently meted Daniel Intong and Elaudor Balawit four months in jail each after they were found guilty of stealing two MCWD water meters in barangay Sambag I, last September.

MCWD has rewarded its employee Fermin Lape for apprehending the two suspects.

The water utility is encouraging the public to report any incident of water meter theft to its office, it also offered reward informants whose tips lead to the arrest of water meter thieves. - Garry B. Lao and Wenna A. Berondo