MIWD gets SP endorsement on World Bank grant
Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) got both good news and bad news from the 9th Iloilo Sanggunian Panlalawigan (SP).
Good news following the committee recommendation on the needed SP endorsement for the realization of a World Bank grant. Bad news because of yet another SP resolution backing an Iloilo town's call for share on MIWD's revenues.
Contained in Committee Report No. 02-08 of the Committee on Infrastructure, Second District Board Member June Mondejar as committee chair was primary mover of the recommendation.
First committee report tackled in yesterday's regular session, the 9th SP body as promised, resolved the MIWD concern that likewise had the Municipality of Maasin in the limelight.
Maasin officials posed an objection on the SP endorsement sought raising longtime concern on unpaid MIWD dues. The MIWD for its part has since questioned the legality and regularity of demanded share cum payment.
After the series of hearings held, the committee decided in what was seen as a 'win-win' solution to the issues.
Yes, the MIWD gets its SP backing. And yes, the Municipality of Maasin gets the SP backing as well on the "collection" efforts addressed to the MIWD.
The seeming compromise reached after MIWD Chairman of the Board, lawyer Norberto Posecion gave the assurance of MIWD payment. Such, he stressed to the committee, once the Commission on Audit (COA) authorizes them do so.
As for the World Bank Grant, the committee eventually recognized that SP backing is necessary.
"The Grant is expected to benefit the existing 29,000 concessionaires of MIWD and to institute reforms in order to reach the target of serving 70,000 concessionaires," the committee in its approval stated.
Meantime demand for the MIWD revenue due to Maasin got the SP nod stating provisions of the Local Government Code.
At the heart of the subject is the World Bank grant of US $150,000 for the consultancy work needed by the MIWD. The water district is now closest to the aid with the SP endorsement alongside similar "yes" from the Iloilo City Government and the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA)'s Infrastructure Committee.