Wednesday, April 02, 2008 SP can only offer advices on P100M DCWD loan plan By Grace L. Plata
THE hearing on the proposed P100-million loan by the Davao City Water District (DSWD) took up more than three hours of the City Council's regular session Tuesday, but nothing has been resolved because the council does not have jurisdiction over the DCWD.
Thus, the councilors ended up with just giving advices to the DCWD on its plan to avail of the loan offered for the distribution systems' upgrade.
After the presentation of DCWD General Manager Rodora Gamboa of the loan's purpose, members of the body took turns asking questions with only the lunch break as respite. In the end, each can only give out their personal views on the matter.
Councilor Leonardo Avila III said that DCWD's plan to undergo the Comprehensive Mainline Rehabilitation Program is a necessity to ensure the health of the consumers.
"It must be emphasized that with leaking pipes, there is a possibility of the water being contaminated posing as a danger to our health. I do not really care how they do it as long as the pipes are repaired," Avila said.
Councilors Victorio Advincula and Diosdado Mahipus had only one point of contention -- the loan will not be availed from with the Local Water Utilities Administration (Lwua).
"If they borrow from Lwua, there will be somebody from there who will sit on the DCWD board. Magsabot-sabot sila (They will connive) and Lwua may continue to control the pricing. What they need to do is to divorce themselves from Lwua and opt to negotiate with the National Water Management Board for transparency and assurance that water rate hikes will be regulated," Advincula said.
Mahipus, for his part, said he'd rather have DCWD get the loan from other financial institutions.
"There is a possibility that we will be tied to the guidelines and rules of Lwua especially with somebody from Lwua on the board. If we loan from financial institutions, their only concern is payment," Mahipus said.
Floor Leader Danilo Dayanghirang said that for now, the discussion contents are "filed and noted in the journal of the City Council."
"We will tackle the matter under an executive session soon. We will include the recommendations of Consumer Alert on the possible alternatives that will make is possible to undertake the project without the loan," Dayanghirang said.
