BY MAE SINGUAY
BACOLOD City — “Magamo” (messy) was how Mayor Monico Puentevella described the power play at the Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa).
Hoping to defuse the tension, he yesterday banned all Baciwa directors from entering the water district’s premises.
In issuing the order, Puentevella invoked the city mayor’s being the appointing authority of the directors.
He also asked the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) to temporarily take over Baciwa’s management.
“I requested LWUA to investigate Baciwa, too,” the mayor said.
Citing “dishonesty, fraud, and negligence,” among other alleged offenses, the Baciwa Board of Directors suspended General Manager Juliana Carbon for 30 days beginning July 31, barring her from the water district’s offices and facilities.
Carbon, however, defied the order and stayed at her office.
Siding with the general manager, supportive Baciwa Employees Union members guarded Carbon and held candlelight vigils.
The Baciwa Board of Directors is composed of chair Lawrence Villanueva, vice chair Lorendo Dilag, secretary Marichi Ramos, and members Cecilia Henares and Maida Torre.
Puentevella yesterday held a dialogue with Carbon, directors Henares and Torre, and some union members.
While he considered the situation messy, the mayor said Baciwa’s operation was “business as usual.”
During the meeting, employees clapped when Puentevella announced he requested LWUA to take over the water district.
POLICE HANDS OFF
Meanwhile, Senior Superintendent Pedrito Escarilla, city police officer-in-charge, deployed policemen to the Baciwa office on corner San Juan – Galo streets here yesterday upon the request of Villanueva, Dilag, and Ramos.
In a letter, the directors told Escarilla that unruly persons supportive of Carbon were harassing Baciwa employees.
Among those “physically harassed” were employees Lourdes Jarder and Rommel Moyani, the directors claimed.
Escarilla, however, said he ordered his men to limit themselves outside the office.
“I have not seen any problem inside,” he said. If necessary, the police are ready to respond, “but as of now, there is no need for them to enter.”/PN
