BY PRINCE GOLEZ, Manila Reporter and FREDA MAE SORSANO
MANILA – Calling the water distribution problem in Iloilo City “the only stumbling block” to the rapid development of Metro Iloilo, Rep. Jerry Treñas introduced House Resolution 1363 calling for the privatization of the Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD).
The resolution filed yesterday “strongly” urged the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) and MIWD to initiate the process of privatization of the city’s sole water distributor.
Twice in three days, on August 9 and 11, Iloilo City became waterless. Bulk water supplier Flo Water Resources Iloilo, Inc. stopped delivering water to MIWD because the water district failed to pay it.
MIWD “has suffered severe financial losses” and “could not pay its huge outstanding obligations” anymore, part of Treñas’ resolution read.
The prevailing situation is hindering the city’s economic growth, he said.
“It compromises business operations and causes severe anxiety and hardships to the residents of Iloilo City and its adjoining municipalities,” said Treñas.
The Metropolitan Water Works and Sewerage System (MWSS) in Metro Manila is a successful case of privatization that Iloilo City can replicate, he said.
In the 1990s, Metro Manila was also facing an imminent water crisis, said Treñas.
“The privatization of MWSS averted the water crisis. It allowed two private concessionaires (Maynilad and Manila Water) to step in and handle the water distribution in the National Capital Region,” he said.
Citing a 2010 study that World Bank funded, the Ilonggo legislator said only “20 percent” of the total number of households in Iloilo City was being served by MIWD.
The water district provided low value for money service and intermittent supply of water, the study found out.
Another report, this time by the United States Agency for International Development, said “water that comes out of both commercial and household taps were muddy-colored and unsafe for drinking.”
The same report also noted that MIWD’s total spending for facilities improvement between 1987 and 2008 “was not enough to improve services to a satisfactory level.”
“The absence of an effective system of local utilities is a deterrent to economic growth, a hazard to public health and an irritant to the spirit and well-being of the citizenry,” said Treñas.
Ilonggo Senate president Franklin Drilon told Panay News he supports Treñas’ resolution.
The proposal to privatize MIWD no longer needs legislation, said Drilon.
“(Ang kailangan lang ay) action ng MIWD Board,” he said.
CITY EXPLORES OPTIONS
While Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog is determined to file a case against MIWD, the city government of Iloilo is also mulling other options, said the City Legal Office.
Mabilog instructed City Legal Officer Daniel Dinopol to study the most viable solutions to the city’s water woes and possible cases that may be filed against the water district.
He wanted the city government itself to distribute water long before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation ministerial meetings here next year.
Dinopol said the city has other options aside from filing a case to hopefully compel MIWD to hand back to the city its water distribution function.
The City Legal Office had consulted with the Sangguniang Panlungsod and has come up with three other options to either push the MIWD to solve its problems sooner or free the city from MIWD, said Dinopol.
The first option is to request help from Congress, he said.
The city can ask Congress to pressure MIWD to hasten solving the metro’s water supply and distribution problems.
The city may also opt to detach itself from MIWD via an ordinance to be passed by the city council. According to the legal officer, a previous ordinance attached the city under MIWD.
The city can create another ordinance that would revoke the first ordinance, he said.
The third option – which is the easiest according to the legal officer – is for MIWD to voluntarily give up its water distribution powers to the city and make a compromise on the use of water pipes.
Then the city can look for its own water source and device ways to have water distributed, said Dinopol.
Dinopol said the city will still be filing the appropriate cases should it become necessary but for now, they are still analyzing all options./PN
