Tuesday, October 21, 2008 Tamugan decision will be 'fair, legal': mayor By Ben O. Tesiorna and Carlo P. Mallo
DAVAO City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte assured the Davao City Water District (DCWD) and the Aboitiz's Hedcor of a "fair and legal" decision from the City Government over the Tamugan River issue.
Duterte, though asking for more time to come up with a decision, said his decision will be well thought of and legal in the best way it could be.
He hinted that his decision would definitely put one company at the advantage over another as "DCWD and Hedcor could not harness the Tamugan River at the same time."
Duterte admitted that the issue is "too technical" for him that he needs to consult technical people to make a good decision.
"I need more facts, I need to consult technical people. But I assure everybody that the decision is going to be legal and fair," he said.
The row between the utility firms stemmed from their claiming priority rights to the water of Tamugan River.
The DCWD intends to tap the Tamugan River as its source of surface water in its Water Management Program. It asserted that the Tamugan River is the only viable source of water for Davao City.
On the other hand, Hedcor intends to tap the Tamugan River for its hydro power plant project, which will provide a stable power supply for Davao City and its neighboring provinces.
Meanwhile, the committee reports of the Davao City Council on the rift between the Aboitiz-owned Hedcor Inc. and the DCWD have been put in abeyance pending the decision of Mayor Duterte that will be released anytime soon.
During Monday's Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao's Cafe Rysus, Davao City 1st District Councilor Pilar Braga said the reports of the committees on environment and energy committees are already completed but have been temporarily set aside.
"We have asked the city mayor to intervene, thus we have put on hold our committee reports," Braga said.
Citing the technical nature of the problem, Braga said the City Council lacked the competency to validly look into the technical aspect of it.
"We think that the city mayor is in a better position to decide on the matter," she said.
Christopher Lawrence Go, executive assistant of Mayor Duterte, said in a text message that the mayor has not come up yet with any decision on the matter.
Duterte has previously said he will come up with a decision last October 16.
"We both need power and water, now if Hedcor and DCWD cannot co-exist, they must both find a solution," Braga said.
Second District Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang meantime proposed the two companies to look beyond the Panigan and Tamugan Rivers.
"They have to look at other areas, there is the Lasang River, and others," Dayanghirang told reporters.
DCWD and Hedcor are in a deadlock as of the moment as they quarrel over their rights to tap the Tamugan River for their respective projects.
