BY PRINCE GOLEZ,
Manila Reporter
MANILA – Calls for the privatization of Iloilo City’s sole water distributor, Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) intensify.
A business organization, a hotel, two more universities, an interest group, and a restaurant have joined the growing number groups supportive of Rep. Jerry Treñas’ proposal.
“Wala na gid community support ang MIWD,” he told Panay News.
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) – Iloilo Chapter, Inc. expressed support to MIWD’s privatization.
In Board Resolution 004-Series of 2014, the group lamented that both residential and commercial sectors have been dealing with water-related problems “for so many years.”
“(MIWD) has failed in deliviering its very basic mandate of providing consistent, safe and sufficient water within in service area,” said PCCI-Iloilo.
Sarabia Manor Hotel Corp. has also taken the same position.
“Iloilo’s numerous consumers can only benefit from the strengthening of the province’s water infrastructure, and as such, the Hotel favors and endorses the privatization of MIWD,” said Dr. Sandra Sarabia-Gomez, president.
MIWD should listen to the various sectors, said Treñas.
“The writing on the wall demands improved, better and quality water distribution services,” he told Panay News.
The Iloilo City Urban Poor Federation, Inc. (ICUPFI) released Resolution No. 2, Series of 2014 supporting Treñas’ House Resolution 1363 which urges the Local Water Utilities Administration and MIWD to initiate the process of privatization.
MIWD needs an “overhaul” because it could no longer meet the community’s growing demand for water, said ICUPFI.
Ilonggo water consumers have had enough of the lousy service of MIWD, said Treñas.
Better water services, he added, should be made available to more sectors.
“The fast-paced developments in Iloilo City as the regional growth center of Western Visayas and the rapid urbanization by the local government units in MIWD service areas (have become) inverse(ly) proportion(al)…The concerned public utility performance (is) sliding back while the demand for its services is progressively high,” said the ICUPFI.
Iloilo-based universities, the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) and the University of Iloilo-PHINMA also expressed support for MIWD’s privatization.
UPV chancellor Rommel Espinosa said privatization is an “alternative solution,” citing the case of the Metropolitan Water Works and Sewerage System in Metro Manila.
“The inability of MIWD to provide adequate water for its numerous consumers has been a perennial problem in Iloilo City,” he said.
Treñas’ proposal will provide Iloilo City a “more competent” and “efficient water provider,” said Raymundo Robles of Breakthrough restaurant.
Robles said his business still taps the services of a water supplier because MIWD has been “inefficient.”
They also pay monthly water dues amounting to P508 to avoid disconnection, he shared.
“Water is a vital need of our establishment. Paying MIWD with our monthly-required dues yet receiving inadequate water supply is impractical,” the popular seafood restaurant said.
Grand Dame Hotel’s management is also “in favor” of MIWD’s privatization.
The hotel has been experiencing a water supply problem “for several years,” it said in a statement released to Panay News.
“We are currently purchasing water from a commercial supplier to have a clean and stable supply. Having sufficient water supply would help a lot in our business operation,” said Tyrone Diez, chief operating officer.
Four groups – the Iloilo Economic Development Foundation, Inc., Iloilo Hotels, Restaurants and Resorts Association, Liga ng mga Barangay – Iloilo City Chapter, and the Western Visayas College of Science and Technology – initially expressed support to Treñas’ proposal.
Ilonggo Senate President Franklin Drilon, Gov. Arthur Defensor and Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog also endorsed the privatization proposal.
“The growing dissatisfaction of residents and commercial establishments over the poor service of MIWD continues to snowball. Countless of people from Iloilo City have derided the failed efforts of MIWD to provide consistent water in their taps,” said Treñas./PN
