LWUA takeover of MIWD for public good—Jamora
'We're just concerned.'
This was the curt response of Mr. Lorenzo Jamora, administrator of the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), on the takeover of the operations of the Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD).
'There's no malice whatsoever, we just want make sure that water consumers in the city and nearby towns are properly served,' added Jamora during an interview by Bombo Radyo Iloilo Wednesday.
LWUA has installed an interim general manager in the person of Engr. Edwin Reyes at MIWD starting October 11, 2005 to address serious concerns of the water utility.
MIWD General Manager Le Jayme Jalbuena refused to comment on the takeover.
Jamora lamented the snail-paced implementation of the P207 million Small Towns Water Supply Structure Project (STWSSP) under Jalbuena's leadership.
Jamora said the project only reached 20 percent accomplishment although it was started last year yet.
'This is unacceptable,' said Jamora of the slow implementation of the project which is funded by the Asian Development Bank.
The STWSSP covers Iloilo City and the towns of Oton, Sta. Barbara, Maasin, Cabatuan, San Miguel, and Pavia.
It is aimed to upgrade water supply systems in said areas.
Reports said the takeover was sought by the MIWD Board of Directors who wrote Jamora for a change of management.
With the takeover Reyes would take charge of the operations of the MIWD while Jalbuena remains in floating status.
Jamora however clarified that the takeover is just temporary.
He assured that with LWUA's management implementation of the multi-million water supply improvement project would be fast tracked.
Reports said the project would be turned over to a private contractor to ensure its speedy implementation.
The bidding for the new contractor would be made early next year.