Public interest above politics: Cebu Guv

CEBU GOVERNOR Gwendolyn Garcia has urged officials to prioritize public interest over financial gain in determining how much it will charge the water consumers in their town. 

Instead of the proposed P10 to P12, consumers of the new water system in Carmen town will only pay P5.80 per cubic meter following the initially agreed rate between the Provincial Government and Cebu Manila Water Development Inc. (CMWDI).

She emphasized this in a meeting as the launching of the town’s new water system is fast approaching, but the officials have yet to agree on the water consumption rates. “Kani man gud nga isyuha, wala usa ni pamolitika kay ang mga tawo whether kauban or dili, nagkinahanglan og tubig. Unya nanumpa man ta. Mayta’g wa ta nanumpa nga moalagad gyud ta unya karon pa lang sayoha namolitika na ta,” she said.

Present in the meeting were Mayor Carlo Villamor, Vice Mayor Al Silvestre Damiles, and six councilors.

Garcia pointed out that it is important for leaders to set aside politics since election is still a long way to go. “Kinahanglan man gud ni sa tawo gud. Unya kun mao na lay naka-hold up, naka-dugay, nakapa-langay tungod sa pamulitika gaba-an ta’s mga tawo nga nagkinahanglan. I tell you og di ta mamulitika ron unya buhaton lang nato ang kinahanglan sa tawo, ang tawo ray mobawos nato,” she said. 

She also stressed the need for unity in this time of pandemic. “Kinahanglan magkasabot mo para ani, para ni’s mga tawo. Sige lang og padung pinili-ay na pud, maghambatay na pud ta, kinamrasay na pud ta. Unya na, di pa ni panahon. Karon pa gyud pandemya. Kinahanglan ta magtinabangay kay daghan kaayo mga tawo nawad-an og panginabuhi,” she said.

Garcia said that they no longer need any financial gain as the Cebu Provincial Government developed the water system. ”Ang pagdevelop anang tubig ana run, wa mo’y cost kay Province man ang nigasto so mahitabo ana that’s automatically taken out from the per cubic price or taripa nga inyo i-charge kung naghuna-huna pa mo og return of investment,” she said.

Presently, the Capitol is managing the operations of the CMWDI after it terminated the contract with Manila Water Consortium Inc.

“Naka-feel ko sa sincerity ni governor nga gusto niya nga moserbisyo gyud sa mga tawo labi na karon nagkaduol ang Pasko, moserbisyo ta and i-set aside nato ang politics. So, I feel nga sincere siya sa iyang calling sa ubang mga konsehal sa Carmen,” Mayor Villamor said, adding they will also look into adjusting the rates based on consumption and classification of the consumer whether residential or commercial.

The Council also agreed to give Villamor the authority to sign an agreement with the CMWDI for the sale of water to the local government unit. The mayor said they are targeting to start distributing water to an estimated 400 households by the first week of December. These households will cover barangays Cogon East, Cogon West, Poblacion and Baring. 

The Provincial Engineering Office already tapped a hose to the main line of the CMWDI and conducted a hydro test to check if there’s any leaking, according to Engineer Hector Jamora. (Vanessa L. Almeda)

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