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Baguio consumers slam ‘manipulations’ on water deal

Tainted bulkwater deal

BAGUIO CITY (Nov. 27) — Alleged manipulations by a city politician and some grease money involving the Baguio Water District (BWD) Board of Directors (BOD) took center stage when the Baguio Benguet Pro-Consumers Movement staged two rallies in a span of five days against the impending bulk water deal between the BWD and Benguet Corporation (BC).

Pro-Consumers alleged that Baguio Congressman Mauricio Domogan changed the Terms of Reference (TOR) in the water deal from 20,000 cubic meters per day (cmd) to 50,000 cmd so that other bidders could not comply with it and ensure that BC will get the deal.

The rallyists questioned the apparent reversal by the BOD of the findings of the Pre-qualification, Bids and Awards committee (PBAC) which prohibited BC from submitting its third envelope for the bulk water bidding. Pro-Consumers also asked if it was true that each of the five BOD members might have received a handsome amount for the deal with BC.

Rallyists revealed that earlier, a local newspaper reported that BOD members received P6 million each from BC.

BOD Chair Engr. Felino Lagman, denied Pro-Consumers’ allegations. He said that the BC bid is still being evaluated and that the third envelope has not yet been opened. He added that there is yet no assurance that BC will indeed get the bulk water supply project.

The rally on November 22 included residents of nearby Itogon town, where BC reportedly secured most of its water permits for water sources for its bid for bulk water supply to BWD.

The rallyists sought the support of the city council in opposing BC’s bulk water supply since Itogon is already experiencing water scarcity. On Friday, the same group picketed the premises of the Prince Plaza Hotel along Legarda road where the BOD was having a board meeting.

Chie Galvez, Tongtongan ti Umili (TTU-CPA) secretary general and Pro Consumers spokesperson questioned the P2 million daily sales BC would earn from the water deal when it supplies BWD 50,000 cmd at P40 per cubic meter. Galvez also asked the BOD to explain the 50,000 cubic meter per day (CMD) water buffer supply of BWD.

“Bakit namin kailangang magbayad ng napakataas na presyo ng tubig na masasayang lamang dahil sa mga lumang tubo ng BWD?” (Why do we have to pay a big amount for water that will only be wasted because of old BWD pipes?), Galvez asked.

BC will collect P60 million per month from BWD once the bulk water deal starts on April 2005, Galvez disclosed. However, this will be collected from consumers in terms of higher water bills because BWD has no capacity to pay that amount, she said.

Meanwhile, the Itogon Inter-barangay Alliance fear that Itogon residents, mostly farmers and small scale miners who are now use water for their livelihood activities and domestic use, would be deprived of free access to their water sources.

“Agbayad kaminto ti danum nu ilako ti BC dagiti inaa-agawna a pagtaudan ti danum mi,” said Nida Legazpi of IIBA. (We will soon be paying for water when BC sells water from water sources it took from us)

Legazpi also cited that many families within BC’s mining claims will be displaced from their workplace once BC asks them to leave Antamok’s proposed reservoir area.

Legazpi refuted BC’s claim that it enjoys local government endorsement and the people’s consent. There was no genuine people’s consultation on the issue of bulk water supply project and the water permits BC allegedly have secured, she said.

Gerry Diano of the urban poor group ORNUS (Organisasyon Dagiti Nakurapay nga Umili ti Syudad) criticized the privatization of basic commodities and challenged public officials not to allow private corporations to control services as water, electricity and health services.

Mayor Braulio D. Yaranon, who was in the first half of the BOD meeting said that there is no need for BC’s bulk water because he said, there is enough water at three drilling points, namely Bakakeng, Teachers’ Camp and Amparo, all within the city.

Pro-Consumers revealed that PBAC members who earlier opposed BC’s bid allegedly resigned due to pressures from both BC and the BOD. The group recalled that after BC posted a P7.3 million protest fee there was a worrisome silence of the BOD. # Lyn. V. Ramo for NORDIS

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