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Baguio Consumers intensify water rights fight

No to BWD-BC water accord — Baguio consumers, Itogon folk

BAGUIO CITY(Mar. 31) — The bulk water supply contract between the Baguio Water District (BWD) and the Benguet Corporation (BC) is a sure lose gamble for Baguio water consumers and other affected sectors.

In a press conference here, the COURAGE-Cordillera (Confederation for Unity Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees), Tongtongan ti Umili - Cordillera Peoples Alliance and the Itogon Inter-barangay Alliance (IIB-A), all members of the Metro Baguio Pro-CONSUMERS’ Movement, reiterated their opposition to the bulk water deal after the BWD, in a 3-2-1 vote, approved the contract with BC last Wednesday.

The groups also condemned BWD Board of Directors Atty. Antonio Espiritu, Atty. Rodolfo Tabangin and Mrs. Sonia Dao-as, who voted in favor of the contract.

“Sana naman bago mai-award nang tuluyan ang proyektong ito ay maisip nila na sa pagbibigay at paggawad ng proyektong ito ay binibitawan na rin nila ang kanilang mandate na magbigay ng sapat, malinis at abot-kayang tubig sa mga mamamayan at sa mga consumers ng BWD,” (We hope that before they award the project they realize that they have surrendered their mandate to deliver safe and potable water to the public and to the BWD consumers) says Chie Galvez of Tongtongan ti Umili –CPA, concurrently spokesperson of Pro-Consumers’ Movement.

“Kung hindi nila babaguhin ang kanilang desisyon, maghanda na sila para sa isang malawak at sunud-sunod na pagkilos ng mga consumers ng BWD,” (They have to prepare for sustained consumer action if they will not reconsider their decision) she warns.

The group, however, commended ex-Councilor Napoleon Ponce and Atty.Emmanuel Malicdem who voted against the bulk water contract and urged Moises Cating, who abstained during the decision making, to make his stand and go against the contract in the next session of the BWD BOD.

The cause oriented groups called for more vigilance after claiming that the votes of the BWD directors were tinged with politics and that the contract with the BC will bring more harm than good.

According to them there are substantial reasons why consumers should be alarmed.

Toxic water, toxic price

According to Galvez, the researches done by the BWD and the UP Natural Sciences Research Institute are enough to prove that the main water source of the BC and the Itogon reservoir are contaminated.

She also cited a report from the former Procurement Bids and Awards Committee (PBAC) that the water contains “highly toxic metallic elements” such as lead, cadmium and manganese which makes the water non-viable for domestic use. Mercury was also found in water samples from the proposed water reservoir, which is below the communities of small scale miners.

Nida Legaspi, IIB-A chairperson, observed that BC’s mineral water business did not succeed because consumers knew that its water allegedly contains toxic chemicals.

On the other hand, it is foreseen that Itogon folk will be deprived of their water sources now that the project has been approved. Itogon residents rely mainly on agriculture and small-scale mining for their livelihood. The IIB-A now calls for the cancellation of the 49 water permits issued by the National Water Resources Board.

Galvez also pointed out the possible increase in the cost of water in the city, expecting it to climb beyond 100%. Earlier, Baguio City Mayor Braulio Yaranon assailed the 135% expected increases in water rates. He said, the rates are expected to soar even higher.

“Nung nabuksan ang bid price ng Benguet Corporation, pumatak ito sa P39.99 per cubic meter, sa 50,000 CMD (cubic meters per day), pumapatak na ang babayaran ng BWD sa BC ay umaabot ng P59,985,000 per month. (At the bid price of P39.99/CuM, 50,000 CMD will bring BC some P59,985,000 monthly),” Galvez computes. Meanwhile, Galvez said, BWD’s collection capacity at present is only P20 million. “Kaya paano nito babayaran ang BC?” asks Galvez.

Ultimately, according to Galvez, the cost will be passed on to the consumers and eventually BWD will be run as if it were a private enterprise.

Privatization blues

According to COURAGE, once BWD sinks into a quagmire of debts, the only way for them to pay would be through privatization. Ces Peta of COURAGE-Cordillera sees this as part of the national governments agenda to privatize public services in consonance with the conditions set by the World Bank.

Once privatized, Peta says, the BWD employees’ security of tenure is threatened. Massive lay offs will follow and those who are deemed as weak and incompetent by the new owner will be fired instantly.

Peta also relates the case of MWSS to that of the BWD where a lot of employees were removed from the company’s ranks.

“From 800 employees bago naiprivitize, naging 300 na lamang sila at ang 300 na kawani na ito na nanilbihan sa MWSS ng 10-12 years ay ginawang contractual”, she said.

With this, Peta urged BWD employees “who are afraid to come out” due to fear of losing their jobs, to fight for their right and prevent the privatization of the BWD.

Peta advised BWD employees to be vigilant and to guard against contractualization after they have served the agency for many years.

Where is due process?

As for the residents of Itogon where the open pit water reservoir is located, the bulk water plan is a complete threat to their livelihood.

Youth leader Frank Almoza of Brgy. Loacan in Itogon, who spoke before the multisectoral forum at the City Multi-purpose Hall on April 1 said that the proposed reservoir area is surrounded by small scale mining operations. Almoza fears that hundreds of traditional miners will be displaced when the bulk water supply project starts.

Norma Mooy, a community peasant leader from Dalupirip, also of Itogon fears that the project will deplete water for irrigation.

IIB-A’s Legaspi and Almoza revealed that BC did not make substantial consultations. Almoza questions the absence of the free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) process as prescribed by the Indigenous People’s Rights Act (IPRA).

They cited that the Tuding consultation was attended by only 20 residents. Furthermore BC cited only three barangays as directly concerned by the project when in fact, Legaspi says, most barangays in Itogon will be affected.

Legaspi added that those who conducted the consultations evaded question regarding the bulk water supply project.

As to the promise of the BC that the Itogon residents will be prioritized as the main beneficiaries of the project, Legaspi points out that in the contract BWD remains to be the company’s main recipient.

Water rights activism

Galvez pointed out the need for the different sectors affected by the project to actively advance their concern “for we are running out of time”. She said, the contract would be awarded as soon as the BOD has affirmed its decision.

During the April 1 multi-sectoral forum at the city hall the groups decide to launch a massive information campaign, petition-signing and lobbying to further intensify the water rights campaign. They also considered filing graft charges against the BWD BOD. # June Arvin Gudoy, Pearly Ann Ancheta and Irene Lorenzo/ MMSU interns

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