Metro Cebu Water district: baena to focus on wasted water

CEBU, Philippines — The Interim Board of Directors (IBOD)-appointed general manager of Metro Cebu Water District yesterday said he would focus on addressing the water utility firm’s 32 percent Non-Revenue Water (NRW), which is “way above” what the Local Water Utilities Authority (LWUA) set.

This, he said, could have mattered a lot in helping address the ongoing water crisis in Cebu City.

In a text message to The Freeman yesterday, Atty. Joselito Tomas Baena said there is, therefore, a need to immediately address the NRW, which stood at 19.381 million cubic meters in 2022, or at 32.67 percent. What the LWUA set as maximum allowable NRW is 20 percent.

“Kanang 32 percent lost or bisag 12 percent, if we stick to 20 percent allowable, is already a big chunk sa water shortage,” he said.

He said that amid the ongoing situation, what are lacking are the steps to take to minimize or mitigate the NRW.

Should this be addressed, Baena said, it can minimize the problem in the shortage of water supply and provide more revenue to the water district.

“We need to look into establishing, developing, maintaining and/or rehabilitating our water sources. That’s good. We should also look into minimizing, if not possible to totally eliminate, leaks and wastage. We need to attention also to the NRW,” he said.

He, however, added that this should be done with care and should be backed with sufficient documents and data.

“Mao na, maayo unta if mo-cooperate ang atong mga kuyog sa MCWD and provide the documents requested and give us freedom of movement, access, and information para we can properly look into (the matter),” he further said.

He said there were already attempts to establish lines of communication with the MCWD BOD led by Atty. Jose “Joey” Daluz, III and suspended general manager Edgar Donoso.

The LWUA, during its partial takeover of MCWD last March 15, imposed on the Daluz-led BOD a six-month suspension and established the IBOD.

Daluz, though, continue to enjoy the backing of MCWD management and employees, and continue to hold sway inside.

Even Atty. John Dx Lapid, the MCWD customer service division head whom the IBOD named general manager last April 12 after suspending Donoso, was barred from entering MCWD’s premises last April 15, which lead him to resign from his appointment last April 16.

Baena, whom the IBOD named as Lapid’s replacement weeks back, said that since his appointment, he already conducted ocular in the MCWD premises.

“Pero I am really treading carefully kay ang atong primary consideration is not to add to the burden of the consumers. Init ang situation, severe, and pait ang kahimtang sa consumers, mao na we are trying to be very careful and sensitive so as not to cause undue disruption,” he said.

“Ang plight sa consumers and their welfare ang atong primordial consideration. Sige lang, things are already set in motion. The necessary coordination and consultations have been made. We will act in the best interests of the consumers,” he added.

It was reported that following the standoff at the MCWD over the installation of Lapid, the Local Water Utilities Administration-installed Interim Board of Directors (IBOD) has designated another one, Baena, to the position.

Baena was actually first installed as part of the IBOD last April 18, 2024 after Atty. Manolette E. Dinsay failed to report and assume the position.