Tuesday, August 26, 2008 NDF joins Tamugan 'tug-of-war' debate
THE National Democratic Front (NDF) has a mouthful to say about the ongoing battle between the Davao City Water District (DCWD) and Hedcor Inc. on the tapping of Tamugan River.
The NDF said that all such brouhaha is but a collusion of the two companies to pave the way for the privatization of the water utility, a claim the NDF and its allies have been brandishing against DCWD for more than a decade now.
In a statement signed by Rubi del Mundo, spokesperson of the NDF-Southern Mindanao, alleged that the "win-win" solution being concocted by the two firms is a prelude to the sinister privatization scheme being cooked up by the Aboitizes and the DCWD management.
Hedcor reportedly plans to put up a six billion peso-worth of 34.5-megawatt hydropower plant in the same area where the DCWD plans to put up a 1.3 billion peso-worth of pipe-laying project.
The group also alleged that, "the Aboitizes stand to benefit in the impending joint undertaking in Tamugan and is poised to take over the public water utility firm."
The Aboitiz-owned Davao Light and Power Company is the sole power utility operating in Davao City. It is the sister company of Hedcor.
The group added that there are various signs of a collusion being cooked up by the two companies. One of which is the presence of lawyer Eliseo Braganza, who is currently a member of the board of directors of the water utility.
Braganza was the former legal counsel of the power utility.
The NDF also cited the sudden change of heart of the water utility, which has previously argued against the operation of Hedcor in the area. DCWD is now reportedly working out a "win-win" solution with Hedcor.
It added that the Davao City council must stand firm against any possible collusion between the two companies that will definitely be detrimental to public welfare. (CPM/With Press release)
