THE Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) vowed to support the water districts in Negros and Panay islands to improve the water delivery services to its consumers.
LWUA Administrator Jeci Lapus, who held a conference with the water district officers at the 21 Bar and Restaurant in Bacolod City Friday, said most of the water districts aired their sentiments for lack of water sources, low tariffs, water quality and status of their loans.
"All concerns were noted and we will help them to address these problems. It is the mandate of the water district to deliver safe drinking water because safe water is life," he said.
He added the water districts only needs money to improve its services.
LWUA is a government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) with a specialized lending function mandated by law to promote and oversee the development of water supply systems in provincial cities and municipalities outside of Metropolitan Manila.
Lapus said the water district can apply for a loan with LWUA if they have a projected connectivity of households that will pay the loan.
Engineer Manolito Mendoza, general manager of Talisay Water District and President of Negros Island Siquijor Water District Association (Niswada), said 90 percent of the problems of the water districts in Negros and Panay Islands have been solved by the LWUA administrator.
He said Lapus assured to help them, especially the area of Ilog Water District which has a big problem on water connections and distributions.
"The water source is there, but they lack on water connections, no distribution line and no capability to expand its services for lack of money and support from the local government unit," he added.
The LWUA administrator promised to the Ilog Water District officer to assist them and to give them a loan for 20 years to pay without interest to serve the constituents of the Municipality of Ilog.
"We are thankful to the LWUA administrator for solving our problems, we are here to serve our consumers," he said.
Niswada has a total of 22 water district officers.