Letter to the editor: Transparency in Cadiz City

DOES the City Government of Cadiz and the Cadiz City Waterworks follow President Rodrigo Duterte’s policy of transparency in the government?

Apparently no. PrimeWater (owned by the Villar Group) is now joint venture partner of the Cadiz City Waterworks, with Cadiznons not knowing how it happened – no public hearing, even the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Cadiz City and even the owner of their waterways who just happened to give Cadiz City waterworks a right to use were not consulted and only knew when contract was already signed.

Jing Zaldariaga head of the Cadiz Waterworks said there is no need to inform anybody except for the Employees. Only the approval of the Cadiz City Waterworks Board of Directors is needed plus a publication from a local newspaper (which they did published in a Manila Newspaper which Cadiznons do not read). Such arrogance from a Government appointed employee is seldom encountered.

As of today, nobody – the members of the Sanggunian or any Cadiznon has seen the Contract. During a Sangguniang session, Zaldariaga was asked by the council for a copy of the contract, his answer was he needed to ask the PRIMEWATER, is this a big joke?

Mayor Bading said Cadiz City has no money to improve its water facilities. Hasn’t he heard of the Local Water Agency (LWA) which gives financing to local governments that need to improve their water system?

In Bacolod City, discussions and hearings are still being done regarding the transfer of Baciwa to PrimeWater, Sagay said no to PrimeWater – Cadiz City accomplished transfer in less than 4 months.

Sanggunian Panlungsod of Negros Occidental should look into this for the sake of the people of Negros Occidental. (Victor H Puey, Former Board Member, 2nd District NegOcc)