By Darryl John Esguerra | Philippine News Agency
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said business tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan, who owns the Cagayan de Oro Bulk Water, Inc. (COBI) through Metro Pacific Water, has agreed to restore water supply in Cagayan de Oro City until the government finds a long-term solution to its water supply problem.
COBI reportedly closed the main valve of the water pipe that leads to the entire city of Cagayan de Oro on Tuesday morning after the Cagayan de Oro Water District reportedly failed to pay its outstanding water bill to the distributor.
However, the city government was able to secure a temporary restraining order (TRO) from the court several hours later.
In a speech at the Pimentel Convention Center in Cagayan de Oro City on Thursday, Marcos said he reached out to Pangilinan after learning about the issue.
“Kaya’t noong ito’y nalaman ko ay nakipag-usap tayo kay Mr. Manny Pangilinan ng Cagayan de Oro Bulk Water Inc. upang manumbalik ang normal na supply ng tubig habang humahanap tayo ng pangmatagalang solusyon sa problemang ito,” Marcos said.
“Pumayag po si Mr. Pangilinan sa ating pakiusap at handa po siyang makipag-usap sa inyong alkalde upang matuldukan na ang suliraning ito at mabigyan ng kinakailangang tubig ang lampas animnapung libong kababayan dito sa CDO,” he added.
The President, likewise, ordered the Local Water Utilities Administration to study its possible management of the Cagayan de Oro Water District to address the water supply problem as soon as possible.
“Hindi lang sa supply ng tubig, pati ang pagtukoy ng angkop (na) water rate at pagtupad sa mga obligasyon nito sa mga konsumer at sa ating mga supplier,” Marcos said.
“Hindi natin hahayaan na mapagkaitan ang mga taga-Cagayan de Oro ng kanilang karapatan na magkaroon ng sapat, malinis at ligtas na supply ng tubig,” he added.
El Niño aid
Marcos was in Cagayan de Oro to continue his provision of assistance to El Niño-hit provinces in Mindanao.
The President personally handed to 40 identified farmers, fisherfolk, and family beneficiaries from Cagayan de Oro City and the Provinces of Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, and Bukidnon cash assistance worth P10,000 each.
Meanwhile, the City Government of Cagayan de Oro and the Provincial Government of Camiguin both received P10 million in Presidential Assistance while the Provincial Governments of Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon received P50 million apiece.
Furthermore, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) distributed P10,000 each to more farmers, fisherfolk, and family beneficiaries while the Office of House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez provided five kilos of rice to each attendee.
Regional line agencies of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Department of Health (DOH) also distributed assistance to their respective beneficiaries during the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair at the University of Science and Technology – Southern Philippines.
Earlier on Thursday, Marcos also distributed financial assistance and extended various government assistance to fisherfolk and farmers from Iligan City, Misamis Occidental, and Lanao del Norte.
Overall, the President distributed over P168 million in financial assistance to Northern Mindanao as part of the government’s efforts to alleviate the effects of the El Niño.
