ZAMBOANGA City Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar and Vice Mayor Rommel Agan met with the private sector leaders Wednesday afternoon, February 12, and discussed measures on how to help the local water utility solve the current water shortage problem without increasing the rates.

Center of the discussion was the proposed water rates increase and the shortage of water supply.

However, details of the discussion have been put on hold, pending consultation with management officials of the Zamboanga City Water District (ZCWD).

Salazar said her stand remains “No to water rates increase,” not this time yet as she could see other means to by which the ZCWD can solve its problems on meeting the increasing demand for water.

Salazar added that the private sector leaders have identified issues and concerns that the ZCWD management needs to explain in full details during a meeting relative to the agency’s proposed water rates increase.

Present in the meeting with the mayor and vice mayor were Ateneo de Zamboanga University (ADZU) President Fr. Karel San Juan, businessmen Pocholo Soliven and James Macasiar, Lawyer Karl Rubio, City Administrator Marie Angelique Go, City Planning Officer Rodrigo Sicat, Mayor’s Chief Executive Asst. Michael Saavedra and others. (SunStar Zamboanga)