COUNCILOR Edgar Cabanlas expressed support for the call to revisit the controversial contract between Cagayan de Oro Bulk Water, Inc. (COBI) and the Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD) but cautioned that the 21st City Council must first establish the proper legal and jurisdictional remedies.
Cabanlas made the statement in response to the special report of Councilor Eric Salcedo, who urged the legislative body to pass a resolution asking the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) to investigate COBI’s operations in the city.
Salcedo argued that the contract was disadvantageous to consumers, particularly for imposing rate hikes every three years despite the absence of a bulk water treatment facility as stipulated.
While agreeing with Salcedo’s concerns, Cabanlas stressed that any resolution by the Council would constitute an official act of the city government and therefore must undergo careful legal scrutiny.
He explained that if COBI has a valid permit to extract water from the Cagayan de Oro River, NWRB may not have jurisdiction over the matter since its mandate is limited to water use regulation.
Instead, he suggested that the matter may fall under the jurisdiction of the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA). To avoid delays, he recommended that any resolution be addressed to both NWRB and LWUA.
In his report, Salcedo recalled that the city was placed under a state of emergency in April 2024 following threats of cutting the supply of water. Mayor Rolando “Klarex” Uy later issued Executive Order 109-2024 creating a special task force, headed by Councilor Cabanlas, to come up with recommendations on the issue.
Among the task force’s five recommendations was the rescission of the COBI-COWD contract, citing its disadvantageous provisions and alleged violations. Salcedo said these recommendations should not be left unacted upon.
“If this is not under NWRB’s jurisdiction, they will refuse. If it is under LWUA, then they can refer it there. What matters is we don’t let the recommendations sleep,” he said.
With this, the City Council, headed by Vice Mayor Bebot Rodriguez, passed the resolution with Councilors Imee Moreno, Aga Suan, and Yvy Emano, abstaining. (FDC/SP)
SUPORTADO ni Konsehal Maximo Rodriguez III ang lakang pagsulbad sa isyu sa solid waste management sa dakbayan.
Kini human gituki kagahapon atol sa tigom sa komite sa environment nga gidumala ni Konsehal Enrico Salcedo ang mga sugyot nga gipaabot ni Ed Lapiz sa tumong nga masolbad ang problema sa basura.
Sumala sa konsehal nga kabalo siya sa sentemento sa mga kapitan.
“Gusto nila limpyo ang ilang barangay, gusto nila permi naa ang garbage truck gikan sa syudad,” matod sa Konsehal.
Gipasabot ni Rodriguez nga adunay budget ang barangay, apan gamay lang, gawas sa dagkong barangay nga dako pod sila’g budget.
Apan kon pabor ang komite sa pagpanday og ordinansa uban ang tabang sa Association of Barangay Councils ubos ni Konsehal Marlo Tabac ug iyang mga kauban sa konseho, tungod ug alang sa panaghiusa, mahimong tagaan og sakyanan ang kabarangayan apil na ang fuel ug maintenance niini sa tuyo nga maminusan ang problema sa basura, pahayag ni Konsehal Rodriguez. (JRG/SP)
COUNCILOR Gilda O. Go, chair of the City Council committee on senior citizens, expressed full support for the proposed centenarian ordinance filed by Councilor Yevonna Yacine B. Emano during the 9th regular session of the 21st City Council.
Go said the city has been granting ₱100,000 cash incentives to centenarians since 2017, with funds facilitated through the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) Office, adding the city has no backlog in granting such incentives per Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) guidelines.
She also supported the proposed five-year residency requirement for beneficiaries, rather than just one year, to prevent potential abuse of the incentive system.
Go further disclosed that she and Councilor Jonjon Rodriguez had earlier discussed expanding the program to include senior citizens aged 80, 85, and 95 years old, similar to the national government’s initiative, which provides ₱10,000 for these milestones.
The proposed centenarian ordinance seeks to institutionalize and strengthen the city’s recognition and support for elderly citizens who have reached 100 years of age and beyond. (JAO/SP)