Suan stresses need for water supply contingency plans

During the meeting of the 20th City Council’s Committee of the Whole on Thursday, March 7, presided by Majority Floor Leader Atty. Edgar Cabanlas, Councilor Aga Suan raised a crucial concern regarding the potential disruption of water services in the city and urged for the formulation of contingency plans.

 This concern arouse amidst the ongoing challenges faced by the partnership of the Cagayan de Oro City Water District (COWD) and Cagayan de Oro Bulk Water, Inc. (COBI).

Atty. Roberto Rodrigo, the legal counsel of Metro Pacific Water Investment Corporation/ COBI, underscored the possibility that, should COWD fail to fulfill its contractual obligations, COBI may be forced to halt the bulk water supply to Cagayan de Oro City through COWD.

Despite COBI expressing openness to amicable resolutions, Councilor Suan underscored the importance of preparing for potential adversities and highlighted that assigning blame or questioning past decisions is only one facet of the issue.

Equally crucial, he stated, is readying the city for the worst-case scenario. Thus, he called for the exploration of alternative options should negotiations with COBI not yield favorable outcomes.