ILIGAN City ― When we say "wet" it has something to do with water. And it has been the subject of topics in the city. Water, or the lack of it dripping in the faucets of every home. So, this city has "ambitions" or dreams regarding the matter.
This is not to be confused with "wet dreams." Or "wetness'' in the bed where one has slept due to some water from…ah, never mind as this is understood. Now speaking of dreams, I was amused when I saw a message on a T-shirt that said: "Follow your dreams. Get back to bed." Ha ha ha, but time to be serious now for this is no laughing matter.
The city is known as the "city of waterfalls." There are 23 or 24 of them. But "the water supply here is true or false." That was what CPA Marianito "Dodong" Alemania said then when he was not yet the vice mayor of the city. It was a criticism then of then city mayor Celso G. Regencia Whose take on the said problem was just engaging in the blame game. Like "the water project of the previous administration is a failure."
Now it is time for the administration under Mayor Frederick W. Siao to tackle the matter. As to how to address the problem. So that every home here will have plenty of water dripping in their homes when the faucets are turned on.
So, the solution that they came up with after several studies and evaluations? PPP or Public Private Partnership. What kind of mammal is this? It is a "partnership" as the term suggests, between the government and a public creature called a "corporation." Under the scheme, the latter will have to do the management of the system of the delivery of the water here from the sources here. Because it is "more efficient."
I talked this over with a lawyer, a former city administrator, Leo M. Zaragoza. He said that with this scheme, it would always go to the private sector having the advantage. Because, eventually, they will own the water supply. Or something like that.
So, we private citizens should be wary of this direction. If so, why not privatize the LGU units, the barangays, etc.?
Good point, attorney. Some residents here are even thinking of making a rally. "Advance thinking," so they say. Now this is the thinking too of the state-run Power Assets and Liabilities Corporation (PSALM) of the Agus-Pulangi Hydro Complex in Mindanao. Per reports, the PSALM is studying the privatization of the Agus-Pulangi hydro complex in Mindanao through a concession agreement. And well, many people are "suspicious" of this move.
And the PSALM president said he is getting the approval of the Joint Congressional Energy Commission on the privatization of the hydropower plant.
Question: Are the people of Mindanao, especially from this side of the island taking this move sitting down? Something's got to give!
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