BY JOHNNY NOVERA
MAYOR Jed Patrick Mabilog has proposed a takeover by Iloilo City of the Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD).
Well, with due respect to Iloilo City’s chief executive, while Mayor Jed may have good intentions and concern to improve the water service, we believe that keeping the status quo under MIWD or private sector management might be better for the water body because there will be less political interference.
However, if need be, MIWD management, and probably the Board, too, may further be reorganized.
And then we must immediately take advantage of the offer for funding support promised by President Noynoy Aquino during his recent visit to Iloilo by releasing P211 million from the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA).
As a grant or loan, it does not matter. What is important is that the money comes soon.
In view of the investment and involvement of LWUA, the present members of the MIWD Board should be heroic enough to resign and open the body for reorganization or new appointments, preferably from those with business background and experience, even with less political connections.
We mentioned of the rainwater collection system (RWCS) law in our column last week under Republic Act 6716 of 1989 not implemented by the government even if we have water problems in many places of the country.
In January 2012 during the term of the late Secretary Jesse Robredo of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), he issued Memorandum Circular No. 2012-02 to all provincial governors, city and municipal mayors, as well as punong barangays, enjoining them to promote rainwater collection system technologies in the barangays, develop springs and rehabilitate existing water wells.
As a result of the directive, DILG and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) signed a memorandum agreement to signify both agencies’ commitment in the promotion, popularization and implementation of rainwater collection facilities consistent with the intention of Republic Act 6716.
Well, with the death of Secretary Robredo in a plane crash, the rainwater collection idea must have died with him because we no longer heard of it.
We wish that incumbent DILG Secretary Mar Roxas look into the program and implement rainwater collection once again, especially in Iloilo where water supply is a problem. (For comments or reactions, please e-mail to jnoveracompany@yahoo.com)/PN
