By BEN SERRANO Correspondent BUTUAN City--The city council here has passed a resolution urging the National Water Rights Board (NWRB) to hold a proper public hearing in the city on the petition filed by Taguibo Aquatech Solutions Corp., and the Butuan City Water District (BCWD) for the approval of deed of usufruct, and for the amendment of the water permit issued to BCWD. In its two-page May 31 resolution furnished this paper, the city council stated that it only received a letter of invitation for a hearing from the NWRB in May 16. The hearing was set May 18. The city council also stated no official copy of the petition was provided to it, making it difficult for local legislators to forumulate their opinion and stand. The city council also stated that stakeholders like members of the urban poor and farmers had no capacity to attend the supposed hearing. It asked that the hearing be conducted in the city. Councilor Sergio Pascual earlier called on the NWRB to take cognizance of the pending cases at the ombudsman, conduct genuine consultations with affected sectors even as he  warned the NWRB of a lawsuit if the controversial P565-million Butuan Bulk Water Supply project is undertaken without proper consultations. Officials here noted that aside from BCWD, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Federation of Irrigators, and rice farmers’ associations also have water rights over the Taguibo River.