Talisay weighs up MCWD question

CEBU, Philippines - The Talisay City Council cannot yet decide whether to allow the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) to dislodge and treat the septic wastes of its water concessionaires, since it would mean additional fees.

"According to the presentation a while ago, I learned that every water concessionaire must pay an additional fee. The question now is what if naay concessionaire nga way kasilyas, ma-burden diay gihapon siya og bayad sa serbisyo nga di niya ma-enjoy?" asked Vice Mayor Alan Bucao in an interview shortly after the session.

MCWD general manager Armando Paredes explained to the council in yesterday's session how the proposal works.

Under the proposal, MCWD can dislodge and treat the septic wastes of its water concessionaires in Talisay City along with other local government such as Cebu City, Mandaue City, etc.

The move is to ensure the quality of water and protect the community's health.

Paredes however did not give yet how much they would add to their concessionaires' monthly bill once the project has taken off.

But the price that the city residents will have to pay is just one reason why the council has to sit down and study the proposal, Bucao said.

The vice mayor explained that another thing that the proposal does not sound good to him is the fact that MCWD is thinking of embracing a very wide scope.

"Murag lisud mahitabo. Ambot kung kaya ba nila? Siguro kung Talisay lang ilang serbisyuhan, pwede siguro," said Bucao.

Bucao said that this proposal may be feasible if the city will undertake the project itself, operate its own dislodgement facility.

"And if ang syudad ray moda, ma-kontrolar pa nato ang service fee," he said.

Minority Councilor Val Ylanan also echoed Bucao's thoughts, but instead, he said that since MCWD is earning from its water district, might as well do the dislodging for free.

"Obligasyon man na nila nga limpyuhan ang tubig nga ilang gibaligya sa katawhan busa dili na nila pabayron ilang mga concessionaires," Ylanan said.

For his part, minority Councilor Romy Villarante said it would have been better if Talisay took care of this project as it could be an enterprising business in the long run. Problem is it needs a good amount of "political will," to which the present administration does not have, he said.

"Naglisud man gani mag-implement sa drainage masterplan mo-embark napud hinuon og laing dakong project?" he asked. - THE FREEMAN