CEBU CITY (April 24, 2024) – Some consumers have expressed displeasure over the blatant mismanagement of the local water district in dealing with the effects of the El Nino phenomenon.
Lawyer Joselito Thomas Baena, the newly-appointed acting general manager of the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD), said residents of at least 10 barangays in the city feel that the water district’s current leadership has failed to address their woes.
Baena said that MCWD’s consumers are now restless because the water district has not come out to explain to them of its current situation.
He even thanked the village chiefs who helped calm their constituents.
“Aburido ang ulo sa mga tawo karun. Magpasalamat ta sa mga kapitan nga maoy nipakalma niya,” Baena said during Pagtuki, Pagsusi, Pagsuta (Check, Verify, Validate) over RMN Sugboanon Channel today.
After his appointed as MCWD OIC GM on Monday, April 22, Baena visited 10 barangays to talk to its leaders and residents on their concerns related to the ongoing water crisis.
As of today, Baena has visited Barangays Sambag 1, Sambag 2, Sta. Cruz, San Antonio, Tinago, Barrio Luz, Kamputhaw, San Nicolas Proper, Suba, Duljo Fatima, and Pasil.
No water, no answer
While majority of the barangays that Baena visited do not have water for at least two to three days, there are others like Pasil that have zero water supply for more than a month.
“Ang Pasil naglisud og paayo sa tubig. Gitilok nalang sa mga tawo ang sulod sa firetruck (nga mosupply nila og tubig),” he said.
In some barangays like Sambag 1 and 2, the water supply is irregular, Baena added.
Consumers in some barangays like in Barrio Luz have complained that MCWD has prohibited them to use its fire hydrant for their water needs.
“Naay sitio nga walay tubig, nangutana pud sila nganong dili sila makakuha sa fire hydrant. Kinahanglan sila ipasabot nganong dili pwede kay clueless sila,” Baena added.
Aside from water, some consumers have also complained that they are required to pay a hefty water bill even though their supply is not stable.
“Unang pangutana sa mga tawo: Nganong ang amoang bill ni-increase man dayon wala’y agas? Ang ilang bill sauna P200, karun P600 na dayon walay agas. So ilang pangutana, gibaligyaan ba daw sila og hangin?” Baena said, recalling a question he received from one consumer.
Even barangay officials are concerned of MCWD’s refusal to meet with them to discuss and address their constituents’ water needs.
“Naay ubang barangay nga nangayo og assistance sa MCWD o pangutana, dayun tubagon sila nga magpadala og letter request ni Joey (Daluz),” Baena said.
“So dili sila kasabot. Kay ngano man? Lisud na gud ang tubig, nag crisis na gud dayun lisudlisuron paka,” he added.
Barangays, consumers consulted
Baena said he began his visits to the barangays after the suspended MCWD officials announced to local media their intention to prevent his assumption as acting general manager.
He said the interim board of directors (IBOD) that the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) to temporarily manage the MCWD for 90 days has instructed him to focus on the barangays and get a “first-person, on-the-ground assessment.”
“Right now, ang MCWD dili pasudlon ang LWUA-appointed interim board. How can we coordinate with the national government for assistance if dili cooperative ang MCWD?” Baena lamented.
“So modiretso ta sa mga tawo, to check unsa’y problema, unsa’y issues nila, mga concerns, unsa man ang situation sa ground,” he added.
Baena said the IBOD, LWUA and the national government wants to ensure that the public’s welfare remains a priority despite MCWD’s ongoing leadership crisis.
“Remember the priority of LWUA (and the) national government is to ensure, despite the defiance (of MCWD) that there is no commotion, that uninterrupted ang delivery of services to the people,” he added.
‘Balancing act’
Baena admits that the ongoing crisis at MCWD has proved to be a challenge to navigate.
Some issues that he needs to deal with as he assumes as OIC GM is to prevent a leadership vacuum at the water district, address the legal issues and to ensure that the water supply to its consumers remains unaffected.
“There is a lot of balancing act to do. How to accomplish the objectives of LWUA that is to look into the anomalies, to enforce the directive sa suspension ni Joey and Mr. (Edgar) Donoso but at the same time, to ensure nga wala’y disruptions,” Baena added.
Baena said he also sought the help of MCWD’s retired employees and officials to help to address the technical aspects of LWUA’s probe.
Though he admits that MCWD has capable and confident frontline technical employees, it has unstable leaders in the helm that does not put the public interest as a priority.
“What we need now is moral leadership to provide the organization with the credibility and has the heart for the consumers who are suffering from the crisis,” he added.
Background
Baena, 37, was born in Surigao Province but has spent most of his life in Cebu.
He admits that though his mother is from Surigao, his father is from Toledo City in southwestern Cebu.
He both earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science and his law degree at the University of San Carlos.
After passing the Bar, Baena worked at the prestigious Angara Abello Concepcion Regala Cruz Law Offices (ACCRA Law) for eight years.
He is currently the managing partner of Cebu-based RBTA Law Office that lawyer Mikel Francisco Rama, son of Mayor Mike Rama, is a part of.
Baena said that while he is particularly close to Mikel and his father, his affiliation with them was not a factor to his appointed as MCWD OIC GM. | RMN Sugboanon Channel / jkv
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