City mayor opens offers for water supply

MAYOR Jed Patrick Mabilog said he is opening the offer and accepting bids of possible suppliers of water in Iloilo City starting November 1, 2012.

A Task Force Water will be created soon to study the possibility of having other water suppliers in the city amidst the proposed bulk water supply project of Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD).

Mabilog admitted he is already fed up with the promises of MIWD to supply sufficient water to city consumers which was promised to be in December 2012 after so many extensions were already given to the private contractor.

He said the task force will study the possibility of opening up new offers of water suppliers and the mechanics to be implemented in the city.

The city mayor said precedence was already tested in Cebu City after the Supreme Court allowed other players to come in and supply water.

The task force will have city health officer Dr. Nick Baronda as possible chairman with city general services officer Joren Sartorio and city councilor RLeone as members, along with other representatives of the private sector.

MIWD said the city is its franchise area since the early 1950s. However, the recent Supreme Court decision in Cebu showed a modified franchise of water utilities after the promulgation of the 1987 Constitution.

Mabilog said he will seek for a certificate of convenience for water services issued by the National Water Resources Board and the Local Water Utilities Administration.

The city mayor said his move is expected to start the proposed privatization of water supply services in the city and should not be a monopoly of MIWD which cannot also assure sufficient water supply. (Lydia C. Pendon)