City exec asks SP to support MIWD privatization
For the continuing development of the city, Mayor Jerry Treñas has asked the Sangguniang Panlungsod to file a resolution supporting his plan on the privatization of the Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD).
In his letter dated June 18, 2007 to the city council, Treñas said "the very rapid growth and development of Iloilo City, its increasing population and influx of new businesses require an equally and increasing need for an efficient and available water supply and distribution."
His letter was one of the items included in yesterday's agenda of the SP session, which eventually is the last for the present set of councilors. The new set of SP members will assume office at noon of July 1.
The mayor said the privatization of the MIWD is one of the priority projects of his administration.
"The MIWD under the limited resources and bureaucracy of government, may not be able to cope with and sufficiently cater the needs of a highly-urbanized city such as Iloilo City. It will leave Ilonggos unsatisfied with current water shortages," said Treñas.
In previous months, the city suffered much from water shortage after portions of the water dam at the Maasin watershed dried up. The Maasin watershed is the primary source of water of MIWD. A cloud seeding was made to address the problem.
He added that the problem on water shortage in Iloilo City will discourage investors.
"I believe that under the reins of a private company, MIWD can and will be able to accommodate the present and future needs of a booming Iloilo City." The MIWD has been literally the lifeblood of Iloilo City being the sole and exclusive government-owned public water utility company.
Presently, the MIWD is implementing its P207 million rehabilitation program. The rehabilitation program includes the replacement of new water pipe lines and additional drilling of deep wells. The replacement of new paper pipelines will decrease the water wastage brought about by old and rustic pipelines.
In an earlier interview, Treñas said they have already found a model for the privatization scheme which will not displace present employees of the water district. The same model is also being used by other local government units in asking for a privatization of a government-owned public utility company.