A DAVAO City councilor is questioning the memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the city government and public utility company Davao City Water District (DCWD) for the Septage Management Program, wherein a septage management fee will be imposed.

Councilor Diosdado Mahipus said the MOA will violate the Davao City Septage and Sewerage Ordinance that was approved by the City Council back in 2010.

He said collecting such fees is not stated in the ordinance.

“Any MOA should be in accordance with our ordinance. I can see a lot of inconsistencies,” Mahipus told reporters Tuesday, June 4, during the regular session at the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

He said the water utility’s proposal did not specify how much will be collected from the consumers and how much will be allocated between the two parties.

“It’s like giving them the authority to collect taxes fees and charges which belongs to a taxing authority like Davao City (government). Unless DCWD consider it as proprietary right, then they do not have to get the authority from the city government,” Mahipus said.

The city said unless the DCWD officials will clarify the matter in a committee hearing set this week, the MOA might be questioned by the Office of the Ombudsman.

Mahipus also questioned another provision of the MOA, wherein the city government will be passing the administration of the control management to DCWD, which is, by ordinance, given to the Environmental Sanitation Section of the City Health Office.

The councilor is urging the Council to review the agreement.

He also suggested to either pass an amended ordinance to give way for the MOA or to reject it. (RGL)