Dalaguete LGU brings water issues to LWUA

Local

OFFICIALS of the Municipality of Dalaguete have sought action from the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) as the town continues to face a longstanding water supply problem and issues in the management of the Dalaguete Water District (DWD).

The Sangguniang Bayan unanimously approved a resolution urging LWUA to conduct a comprehensive review and possible reorganization of the Dalaguete Water District's management, including its general manager, board of directors, and other key officials.

The measure was approved following no response from DWD General Manager Danilo Sombilon to a formal letter from Mayor Nelin Tambis requesting him to step down from his position.

The resolution requests LWUA to evaluate the performance of the board of directors, general manager, and other key officials, "including their capacity to formulate and implement long-term and sustainable solutions to the municipality's water supply concerns."

"Should the findings warrant, the concerned authorities are respectfully requested to undertake the necessary reorganization, restructuring, replacement, suspension, or other lawful administrative actions involving the Board of Directors, General Manager, and other responsible officials to ensure competent, transparent, accountable, and effective management of the water district," the resolution, sponsored by Councilor Andrade Alcantara, stated.

LWUA is the supervisory authority over local water districts under Presidential Decree No. 198, otherwise known as the Provincial Water Utilities Act of 1973.

The council ited the municipality's long-standing water supply problems, including low water pressure, recurring shortages, water interruptions, and inadequate infrastructure expansion, which have affected consumers for years.

"These water-related concerns have become perennial problems that remain unresolved despite the passage of time, causing inconvenience and hardship to residents, businesses, farmers, educational institutions, health facilities, and other sectors dependent upon a stable water supply," the resolution said.

The council further said that only "band-aid" solutions had been implemented and that these failed to fully address the underlying issues.

The council also noted growing public concern over the current leadership of the water district, as well as its planning and governance, which it said are no longer capable of meeting the municipality's increasing water demand.

"Ang katawhan sa Dalaguete angayan lamang nga mahatagan og tin-aw nga tubag ug responsableng pagpangulo, ilabi na sa dugay nang gisagubang nga problema sa suplay sa tubig," the LGU said.

Dalaguete is a first-class municipality in southern Cebu with a population of more than 80,000.(MyTVCebu)