WHILE Mayor Vicente Emano's not exempt from any water or power shortages afflicting the common person in the city street -- being the city's top official one would expect that he has some spare facilities to provide power and water for his home -- the complaint he aired over the failure of the Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD) to fix the water problem he and several residents of a subdivision in the city faced is worth at least a look.
According to the tirades launched on his behalf by some loyal "friends in media," the COWD was unable to address the water supply problem the mayor and several residents in Aluba subdivision -- said to be located atop a hilly area, which offers an enviable view of the city landscape -- which plagued the area for more than a week.
While a lot of us would be ready to scream bloody murder and gouge the eyes of the people at the COWD, it wasn't only until late last week that the mayor mentioned about the problem, albeit casually, over local radio.
As stated, the mayor has little problem with obtaining water since he has water tanks, a hydraulic pump and several go-fers to fetch him water from some nearby source. Emano also mentioned that he manages to take a shower at his office (which gives you an idea how a public official can avail of certain necessities unavailable to common workers or even top level department heads).
At any rate, if the mayor managed to complain about the COWD failure to fix the water supply problem to his area, then imagine how much more affected his neighbors or those living in the same area were. And unlike the mayor, they didn't have the clout to gripe about this in local media.
That it had to take the mayor to elevate this complaint to radio may only illustrate the COWD's shortcomings in responding to the complaints and deficiencies they may have in servicing their customers.
Amid the complaint, there was a proposal being floated about to convert the COWD into a cooperative that would enable the customers to have a share and a greater say in running the water district.
While that would take considerable thought, time and preparation to conduct an evaluation, such a proposal is not impossible. Especially if the COWD continues to offer such dismal service to the public.
That way, the public can easily deal and even lead the dismissal of those officials at the management and board level who are accused of inefficiency and corruption.
