CEBU, Philippines — Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA)-appointed OIC General Manager Attorney Joselito Baena has officially requested the Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD) to provide him a comprehensive status update on the water utility firm’s operations, particularly on its Non-revenue Water (NRW).
His letter, which was sent to the MCWD management last May 6, echoes the request of the MCWD Interim Board of Directors (IBO), which LWUA installed last March 15, replacing the BOD composed of Atty. Jose Daluz III, Jodelyn May Seno, and Miguelito Pato.
Daluz and his group, enjoying the backing of the MCWD officials and employees, however, had refused to step down.
In his letter, Baena, a lawyer, said he received an April 18 resolution from the IBOD requesting for updates “on MCWD operations, initiatives, and any developments relevant to its consumers”.
The same resolution also includes a request for MCWD management to “diligently” furnish regular reports to the IBOD on the progress of MCWD’s operations, financial performance, and any significant developments or challenges encountered.
“In order for the undersigned to be able to comply with the foregoing, I request, on behalf of the Interim Board, for a comprehensive status update on the operations of MCWD, specifically on Non-Revenue Water (NRW),” reads a portion of Baena’s letter.
He also cited a 2022 Commission on Audit (COA) report that stated that MCWD’s NRW “steadily increased” from 25.26 percent (20.034 million cubic meters) in 2020 to 29.04 percent (24.542 million cubic meters) in 2021; 32.67 percent (29.481 million cubic meters) in 2022.
“These levels are way beyond the 20% NRW threshold set in 2010 by the Local Water Utilities Administration,” Baena said in his letter.
He also said that the NRW increased despite the alleged acquisition of a Supervision Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) System and Water Leakage Management System as early as September 2016, which he said is a “concern”.
“Our objective is to help mitigate the effects of the water crisis, identify problem areas and challenges, and based on information and data available, identify steps that can be taken to alleviate the plight of the consumers,” Baena said.
Furthermore, MCWD is also being requested to submit the steps it took in the last five years to address the NRW and the “challenges encountered, recommendations given to the management, and the short, medium, and long-term plans of the water district in controlling the NRW”.
Unlike Atty. John Dx Lapid, who was barred from getting in the MCWD building last April 15 after the LWUA appointed him as acting general manager, Daluz had said that he was willing to sit down with Baena if he (Baena) shares the same enthusiasm.
It was reported that Daluz had assured Baena that the BOD would not issue a resolution barring his (Baena) entry in MCWD premises, although Baena was encouraged to express in writing his thoughts for the BOD. — (FREEMAN)