Dahino wants COWD to submit list of projects from P6M fund

“ASA na ang mga proyekto? Kay gipangita na sa mga tawo.”

This was the demand made by Councilor Edna M. Dahino in her special report during the regular session Monday presided over by Vice Mayor Raineir Joaquin V. Uy.

It may be recalled that last week, the councilor filed a resolution requesting the Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD) to submit the list of projects funded by the P6 million annual fund set-up by its Board of Directors for various water system projects or water services improvement projects of the City Government.

According to Dahino, COWD may have been misled because as per latest newspaper issues, they have been responding incorrectly to the city’s request.

The Power learned that the resolution was passed by the COWD in 2006 as a commitment to pay the city, in the form of various water projects amounting to P6 million per year.

This set-up was not fulfilled even with the commendation given to COWD in 2011 because 13 years have already passed and yet the people are still experiencing water woes. Thus, the city now does not only requests but demands for the various water projects, Dahino stressed.

Citing Chapter 2, section 291 of the Local Government Code, Councilor Dahino stressed that water is a national wealth and any government owned and controlled agencies engaged in its utilization and development should allocate a share from its gross income based on the preceding fiscal year following a formula whichever will produce a higher share for the local government unit.

“COWD should pay one percent supposedly from the gross income of the water district. You could just imagine 2011 gamay ra ang tawo sa Cagayan de Oro compared now 2019, it’s already 13 years six million lang ilang gihatag. Wala nangayo ang syudad sa one-percent knowing the population now is growing,” Dahino lamented.

The call of the councilor was supported by Councilor Ian Mark Q. Nacaya, chair of the committee on planning and development.

“The point being raised now is the commitment that was broken by the COWD. We are not threatening to file a case against them because there was already a resolution that was passed 13 years ago. If we want to update the figure, we can re-negotiate but let the commitment stay. That’s how we operate the government, we commit to our word and we follow our commitment. While COWD exist in the territory of the city, let’s co-exist and help each other in helping out the needs of our people,” Nacaya pointed out.

The matter was referred to the committee on public utilities chaired by Councilor Teodulfo E. Lao, Jr., for appropriate action. (SP/JAO)