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Vigilance needed against Bulk Water Supply Project

By PRO-CONSUMERS,
Tongtongan To Umili,
Bayan Muna - Metro Baguio Chapter

Our opposition against water privatization must be supported by continuous vigilance by the Metro Baguio consumers. We extend our commendation to our city mayor, some city councilors especially to the privilege speech of Councilor Pinky Chan-Rondez for their stand against this Bulk Water Supply Project (BWSP); to the Itogon officials for coming out with a municipal resolution stating that the Itogon Municipal Council is not endorsing the project.

The 3-2-1 vote of the Baguio Water District (BWD) Board is nearly in favor of Benguet Corporation. The three members (Atty. Antonio Espiritu, Atty. Rodolfo Tabangin and Mrs. Sonia Daoas) voted for the awarding of the contract to Benguet Corporation, while LWUA representative Emmanuel Malicdem and former councilor Nap Ponce voted against and Atty. Moises Cating abstained.

We challenge the BWD board and management to make a collective stand against this BWSP by considering the peoples interest and welfare first. The BWD board and management must not be blind to “money pressures” to favor capitalist interest. Any issuance of Certificate to Operate to Benguet Corporation (BC) must be exposed as anti-consumers and be faced with bigger protest.

The PRO-CONSUMERS Metro Baguio welcomes the plan of Councilor Rocky Thomas Balisong, chairman of the committee on public utilities, to conduct a public hearing where all interested and affected parties are invited.

Likewise, we are calling on our beloved city councilors to recall SP Resolution No. 5 of Baguio City approved last 2003 which endorsed the Bulk Water Supply Project as mentioned in the privilege speech of Councilor Rondez.

We don’t need this BWSP because of better alternatives such as, completion expansion and rehabilitation of the pipe lines to reduce Non-Revenue Water (NRW), regulated drilling operations and an intensive study on the groundwater recharge.

Lastly, we are calling all residents and consumers of Baguio to join us in our advocacy to oppose this anomalous Baguio Water District-Benguet Corporation deal. #

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