CAGAYAN de Oro Water District (COWD) suspended General Manager Engr. Antonio B. Young and other suspended officials are likely overjoyed as the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC) has finally provided its long-awaited opinion on the Local Water Utilities Administration's (LWUA) takeover of COWD.
The suspended GM Young and his team had been waiting since May for the OGCC’s response regarding the legality of the LWUA takeover. After months of silence, the OGCC issued an opinion favoring the complete takeover by LWUA, presenting it as the solution to COWD’s numerous operational and financial problems.
COWD has faced significant issues, with nearly half of its potential revenue being lost due to a high non-revenue water (NRW) rate of 50.02% in 2022, amounting to an estimated loss of P765.278 million.
This problem has burdened consumers, who have had to cover the cost of wasted water.
Now, suspended GM Young and his colleagues can breathe a sigh of relief as their long-standing question has been answered, and they are freed from the responsibilities and problems of COWD.
The interim officials appointed by LWUA will now take over the challenging task of managing the district.
Despite their failed Petition for Prohibition and request for a Status Quo Ante Order against the LWUA takeover, the determination of GM Young’s camp to seek legal clarity is commendable.
They sought to confirm the legality of LWUA’s compliance with President Ferdinand Marcos’ directive and Mayor Rolando Uy support of it.
We should thank suspended GM Young and other COWD officials for their sacrifices and courage in seeking clarity. Gratitude is also due to OGCC for providing the much-needed answers.
Concerned water consumer
