CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The municipal government has initiated a public-private partnership (PPP) to address its water supply challenges.
In a press briefing on Friday, Sheila May Lumbatan, the chief of staff for the city mayor, stated that both the Cagayan de Oro City Water District (COWD) and its contracted bulk water supplier, Cagayan de Oro Bulk Water Inc. (COBI), have agreed to a PPP arrangement following a meeting presided over by Mayor Rolando Uy earlier in the week.
The two will enter into a PPP signing by September this year since this arrangement is seen as the solution to COWD’s water problem,” said Lumbatan.
During the meeting, the mayor emphasized the importance of COBI not interrupting its supply to COWD to prevent inconvenience to Cagayan de Oro’s water consumers. The water district reportedly owes COBI about PHP 437 million.
During the pandemic, the bills kept piling up. Under their contract with COWD, COBI is set to raise their water rates every three years," explained Lumbatan.
Garbage Concerns
Meanwhile, the local government has also expressed concern about the annual increase in garbage collection, averaging 7,000 cubic meters.
Armen Cuenca, chief of the City Local Environment and Natural Resources Office, highlighted that in the first six months of 2023, garbage collection reached 33,000 cubic meters but rose to approximately 40,000 cubic meters from July to December.
From 2021 to 2022, the average garbage collection was 27,000 cubic meters, added Cuenca.
The garbage collection team in the city is roving 24 hours daily," he said, urging the public to segregate waste. (PNA)
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