MIWD privatization not that easy, says exec
Not that easy. This seems to be the sentiment of the members of the board of the Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) on the plan of Mayor Jerry Treñas to privatize the water utility.
The entire board of MIWD led by its chair Atty. Norberto Posecion yesterday met with members of the media to air their side on the privatization issue for the first time.
The other members of the board who met the press were Atty. Eduardo Aguillon, vice chairman; Atty. Florecita Gelvezon, corporate secretary/treasurer and board of directors Andres Jamora, Ma. Luisa Segovia; Celso Javelosa and Engr. Timoteo Villaroman. Interim Manager Edwin Reyes was also present.
Posecion clarified that there are no formal talks yet on the proposed privatization. He said they only heard of the issue through media reports.
"Who's plan is that anyway?" Posecion even asked.
The MIWD was formed on September 18, 1978 by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 198 as amended. A Certificate of Conditional Conformance (CCC) was also issued last January 12, 1979 by the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA).
In 1992, MIWD became a Government Owned and Controlled Corporation (GOCC) by virtue of a Supreme Court (SC) en banc decision promulgated on February 6, 1992.
Posecion said there are many things that should be considered in the event of privatization. It must start with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the interested party and the water district. The investor should also present a five-year plan, said Posecion.
He added, the process likewise needs the approval of different government agencies such as the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), Regional Development Council (RDC) and even the President of the Philippines.
Mayor Treñas earlier said that the privatization of MIWD would be done before the end of the year. He even asked the support of the Sangguniang Panlungsod on the privatization plan.
But Posecion insisted that any plans for privatization should not come from the Sangguniang Panlungsod or from the local government unit. The privatization will be based on the law, he said.