MAYOR FINDS MCWD WELLS IN LILOAN DILAPIDATED DURING INSPECTION

AMID the water supply shortage looming over Metro Cebu, Liloan Mayor Christina Garcia-Frasco made a surprise inspection on the wells and reservoir the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) operates in the northern town.

Her inspection came a week after the Municipal Council had authorized her to terminate immediately the memorandum of agreement (MOA) the Municipal Government entered into with MCWD in 1992, which covers the conditions for the operation of 17 wells in the town.

“Our Sangguniang Bayan has issued a resolution expressing its extreme dissatisfaction and frustration over the services of MCWD, thereby authorizing me to terminate Liloan’s MOA with them. As Mayor of Liloan, I will do my duty to protect the general welfare of all Liloanons. As a Cebuano, I will seek answers and accountability from MCWD and demand from them what is right and just for Cebu,” wrote Frasco in a Facebook post dated Oct. 2, 2019.

In 1992, MCWD dug and operated 17 wells in Barangays San Vicente, Jubay and Cotcot in Liloan.

The wells with water pumps drew at least 15,000 cubic meters of groundwater a day for distribution to its customers in Metro Cebu, including Liloan and Mactan Island.

In return, the water distributor promised “uninterrupted 24/7 priority” water supply to residents of Liloan and to provide water systems in the mountain barangays, Frasco said.

But during her surprise inspection, Frasco found out that the wells were dilapidated, two of which were “damaged beyond repair due to saltwater intrusion and practically abandoned.” The Municipal Government also had to facilitate the construction of water systems in the mountain barangays instead.

“Our people literally thirst for the water MCWD takes from them, giving little or nothing back in return. While we have always willingly shared our water with the rest of Metro Cebu and are very much willing to continue to do so, MCWD has sadly failed to ensure that Liloan does not lack for water. The sorry state of the wells they operate in Liloan and the very poor quality of service reflect the lack or absence of care for our people,” Frasco said.