TODAY, April 15, 2024, was supposed to be John Dx Lapid's first day as the newly designated acting general manager of the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD).
However, chairman Jose Daluz-led board of directors implemented a lockdown, prohibiting him and members of the interim board of directors from entering the water district's premises.
This move came after a memorandum signed by suspended general manager Edgar Donoso dated April 15 was released for immediate implementation.
The memorandum was also made in pursuant to MCWD board resolution approved during the board's special meeting on April 12.
"The general manager is hereby directed to implement a lockdown to secure the premises of the MCWD to ensure unhampered public service and protect the well-being and safety of its employees against any form of intimidation and harassment," read a portion of the memorandum.
"The entry of the IBOD, its staff and designated Officer-In-Charge, John Dx Lapid, shall be prohibited," the memo added.
The memorandum also directed the water district management to strictly enforce the resolution, which should be communicated to the entire water district and its stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies and local government units under MCWD's franchise area, "to maintain peace and order within MCWD facilities and properties."
The Daluz-led board approved on April 12 a resolution that authorizes the general manager to file the necessary criminal and administrative cases against the members of the interim board of directors for allegedly usurping authority and other related offenses.
The same resolution also directs the issuance of a show cause order to Lapid for alleged usurpation of authority of the general manager, insubordination, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, to explain his involvement and actions in support of the "illegal takeover and defying the status quo position" adopted by MCWD and why no charges will be filed against him.
Lapid, in an earlier report of SunStar Cebu on April 13, said the LWUA’s interim board informed him on April 12 about his temporary appointment following the 90-day preventive suspension of Donoso.
The LWUA suspended Donoso on April 12 because "he continued to defy" the interim board’s request to turn over documents regarding the MCWD’s transactions and he failed to respond to a five-day notice to explain his decision accordingly. (JJL)