LWUA has no business over MIWD: mayor
Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) has no authority over the Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) because it is the city government that created the water district by virtue of an ordinance.
“LWUA should know their territorial jurisdiction. It means that LWUA has nothing over the MIWD management and even the Board of Directors,” Mabilog said.
He added it is also within the power of the city government to either retain or dissolve the MIWD.
“It is the city government that has the jurisdiction over the MIWD and I am authorized to appoint the members of the Board of Directors,” he said.
Mabilog said it seems that LWUA is into a fishing expedition when it declared that the mayor has no authority to appoint the MIWD directors because Iloilo City has not reached the 75 percent connection service.
The LWUA instead stated that it is Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. who should appoint the MIWD directors.
However, in the long run, LWUA found out that their statement is baseless, he said.
“I appreciate the good governor expressing himself that he is not interested with MIWD,” Mabilog said.*
