EFFORTS to reach an amicable solution between Cagayan de Oro Bulk Water Inc. (COBI) and Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD) over the outstanding payments and water pricing arrangements have bogged down anew due to the lack of representation from the latter.
COBI in a statement said only one COWD director was present in the April 30
crucial meeting that was scheduled weeks ago, with COWD and representatives from the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), Metro Pacific Water (MPW), the Office of Rep. Lordan Suan and COBI.
It said the absence of a quorum of the COWD Board of Directors in that meeting was another lost opportunity to finally reach an amicable agreement on the outstanding balance of COWD to COBI.
COBI said while it remains open for an immediate and swift resolution of the unsettled accounts, “this absence of representation from COWD raises concerns about their commitment to resolving the issue and compromising water supply for their consumers.”
The company said LWUA already intervened to mediate and avoid service disruptions, especially during the El Nino season. They requested a 30-day extension to facilitate discussions between MPW and COWD.
Despite this, COBI has maintained its commitment to supply safe and reliable drinking water to the people of Cagayan de Oro City.
“We encourage COWD to work with us to ensure a secure water supply for all Cagayanons,” COBI said.
COBI had given COWD to settle an accumulated debt of more than P400 million which the latter refused to acknowledge.
Previous attempts to sit down for a meeting between the parties did not materialize.
