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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Luzon devider Privatization of MCWD proposed in meeting at mayor's house, board member says

Privatization of MCWD proposed in meeting at mayor's house, board member says

Published Jun 20, 2023 03:19 pm
CEBU CITY -- Amid the rumblings at the Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD), one of its Board of Directors confirmed that there was a proposal to privatize the water agency. MCWD Board Member Jodelyn May Seno said in a statement released to the media that a meeting between some MCWD officials and executives of the Prime Water Infrastructure Corp. of former Sen. Manny Villar took place at the residence of Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama in February this year. “We were invited for breakfast at the mayor’s residence to listen to certain guests. We had no idea who the visitors were. The invitation was for breakfast but there was no agenda given,” Seno said. Seno said Prime Water president Fe Rebancos was present during the meeting and asked the mayor about a “letter” to signal the start of the discussion on the company’s supposed takeover of MCWD. MCWD Chairman Jose Daluz and another board member, Miguelito Pato, were not around during the meeting. City Administrator Collin Russel was in the mayor’s room during the meeting, said Seno. Seno said that shortly after Rebancos made a presentation, Rama emerged from a corner and said: “unya nagkasinabot na mo? (So, have you agreed already?)” Seno said Rebancos asked for some documents from Rama. After the meeting at Rama’s residence, Seno said Prime Water executives presented their intention to conduct “due diligence and data gathering” in coming up with a feasibility study for the supposed “development program” for MCWD during a board meeting on Feb. 17. The board members were non-committal and addressed every point raised by the presenter as “noted," Seno shared. On Feb. 22, MCWD, through its general manager, Edgar Donoso, and Daluz sent a letter to Prime Water in response to its Feb. 12 letter of intent, informing that the company cannot proceed with the request to conduct a study. A few days after the meeting, Rama then announced the removal of Daluz as MCWD chairman for purportedly failing to come up with satisfactory preparation for the El Niño phenomenon. Rama appointed Pato as the new MCWD chair. Despite Rama’s announcement, officials of the MCWD board are still the same, with Daluz as chairman, Pato as vice chairman, and Seno as secretary. In previous reports, Daluz insisted that it is only the board who can elect, install, or remove its officers.

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Prime Water privatization MCWD Cebu City
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