Abaday calls on COWD regular, interim boards to settle management dispute

Councilor Roger Abaday wanted the regular and interim officials to appear before the committee formed by the city legislature to settle the escalating leadership squabbles in the Cagayan de Oro City Water District (COWD).

His request was a response to the special report of Councilor Edgar Cabanlas, who filed a resolution condemning the six-month extension of the interim management appointed by the Local Water Utilities Administration.

During the 114th regular session, Cabanlas decried the prolonged takeover as a blatant disregard for local governance of CDO’s water district.

For Cabanlas, the interim management was given control of COWD to fix alleged irregularities in the water services and operations of the city but progress seems to be “beyond the horizon”. 

“[Then], let us hear both parties and do something about it, so that we will not sacrifice our service for the people,” Abaday pointed out.

The management conflict intensified in February this year after the temporary LWUA-appointed officials hold fort and remained in control of COWD until August 31,2025, while the regular board appointed assistant general manager Edna Najeal as acting general manager. (FDCalotes/SP)