ANGELES City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. has vowed to oppose the proposed privatization of the Angeles City Water District (ACWD).

Lazatin issued the statement in reaction to reports that giant water firms are wooing the ACWD to enter into a joint venture operation of the water facility.

He said he will invite the officials of ACWD, including its general manager, Engineer Reynaldo Liwanag, to shed light on the issue.

"Hindi ko alam iyan, pinapatawag ko nga si Engineer Liwanag," he said.

Lazatin has questioned the move, saying the ACWD has a good financial standing and earning money.

"Why would you privatize the water district when you are earning P1 million per month," he said.

The consumers will suffer in terms of water rate adjustments if the ACWD is privatized, according to the mayor.

"No to privatization tayo, sa rates magsa-suffer ang mga tao at bakit nila ipa-privatize e kumikita naman ang water district," Lazatin said.

Liwanag, in response, said the ACWD did not yet receive official proposal from the private water firms including Prime Water.

The ACWD general manager added that he is personally opposed to the privatization of water facility.

But the ACWD board is the one deciding if the water system needs the assistance of private companies in its operation.

The general manager only implements the board resolutions, according to the ACWD executive.

"It is up to the board, patye dinecide ne ning board in favor keng joint venture ala na kung agawa kanita (if the board decides on joint venture we could not do anything about it)," Liwanag said.