CSFWD consumers want transparency on JV
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - Consumers of the City of San Fernando Water District (CSFWD) are demanding transparency on the Joint Venture (JV) agreement participated by their water provider with the Primewater Infrastructure recently.
This was after the CSFWD formally and officially inked the JV on November 24 despite “protests” and questions raised by the its concessionaires led by Marilou Uban on matters that accompanied the partnership.
Uban, together with alleged “hundreds” of Fernandinos who signed the protest, cited portions of the initial CSFWD proposal presented to the City Council which “does not promote advantages on the consumers’side” including expected water rate i ncr ease.
She stressed that she and her fellow consumers were alarmed of the possible water rate hike from the current P185 minimum per month to a foreseen P400 or more than 100 percent
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO— The City of San Fernando Water District (CSFWD) on Monday challenged the 387 protesters led by one Marilou Uban to scrutinize the government owned and controlled corporation’s joint venture or JV with Primewater Infrastructure Corporation, along with all the processes that led to the partnership.
CSFWD General Manager Jorge Gumba said that their office is open to all concessionaires who wish to take a look at the documents, processes and reports surrounding the JV in the name of transparency that the complainants are demanding.
“They are most welcome to come to the office and take a look and scrutinize these public documents so they will better understand what the joint venture is all about, including their feared water rate hike and everything else they are complaining of,” he stressed.
Gumba provided Sun.Star Pampanga with all the documents that detail the JV, the processes, guidelines, legal basis and opinions from the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel, National Economic Development Authority and the Local Water Utilities Administration.
Meanwhile, some 500 workers were displaced following the closure of the Fontana Casino last Sunday, with only 18 days to go before Christmas.
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) served the closure order, signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.
On Saturday, President Duterte ordered the arrest of Jack Lam, chairman of the Jimei Group which operates Fontana Leisure Parks and Casino for allegations of bribery and economic sabotage.
Lam allegedly tried to bribe Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II and Pagcor chairperson Andrea “DIdi” Domingo to release more than 1,300 Chinese national arrested during an operation against illegal online gambling inside the leisure parks last November 24.
Based on the records of the Bureau of Immigration (BI), Lam left the country on November 29, five days after the BI operation.
The casino was temporarily closed “pending the investigation of the Department of Justice (DOJ) of illegal or unlicensed online gaming operations and employment of aliens without proper permits which is a violation of the anti-illegal gambling, labor and immigration laws.” Aside from Fontana Casino, Mr. Duterte ordered the closure of the Fort Ilocandia Casino, which is also operated by the Jimei Group.
after nine years which will start on the second year of the JV.
Aside from the water rate hike, Uban added that the proposal also included a 25-year water system rehabilitation and expansion program with a budget of P2.95billion, an additional Value-Added Tax (VAT) on and salary increases for its employees.
The management of CSFWD was also questioned for allegedly not “following” the “proper and appropriate bidding process” which “seemed to favor” Primewater Infrastructure.
“Paano masasabi ng CSFWD na pinaka-mainam ang proposal ng Primewater kung wala namang ibang proposal na mapagkukumparahan? Papaano kung may provider na makapagbibigay ng mas murang tubig at mas maayos na water system operation? Hindi na nagkaroon ng ganitong pagkakataon kasi pinirmahan na agad ng CSFWD ang JV Agreement at hindi kami pinakinggan,” Uban added.
Uban said that consumers were also deprived of the chance to air their concerns through a public hearing since the water provider failed to conduct one.
“Kailangang imbestigahan ang joint venture ng CSFWD upang di naman mapilitang magbayad ng napakamahal na tubig ang mga Fernandinos. Dapat kaming pakinggan dahil karapatan namin iyon ayon sa ating konstitusyon,” said Uban.
But despite such concerns raised, the CSFWD pursued the JV agreement and made it public alongside the inauguration of the its newest P22-million, 300 cubic meter pumping station at Aurea Subdivision in Sta. Lucia village which “surprised” the residents.
Uban said that CSFWD once again bypassed and dodged the concerns of its consumers who will be most affected of the expected and sudden changes.
“Minsan lang nag-present ng proposal ang CSFWD pagkatapos signing na agad ng JV agreement. Hindi man lamang kinonsulta kaming mga Fernandino. Bibigat pa ang aming bayarin dahil sa VAT,” Uban added.
She protested that CSFWD immediately inked the JV deal while dropping documented opposition of citizens and interests of companies such as Manila Water and Balibago Waterworks.
Uban also said that CSFWD must explain and be transparent to its consumers on the entirety of the JV agreement including all agenda and talks between two parties.
“Wala naman kaming magagawa dahil napirmahan na pero sana maging transparent sila sa transaction na ito dahil higit sa lahat, kaming mga Fernandino ang magsa-suffer dito,” she stressed.
Asked on the legitimacy of her statements and identity, Uban asserted that her statements are based on her concerns as a citizen of this capital city and concessionaire of the water district and is not influenced by any political or business party.
“Ito ay statement lamang ng isang consumer na Fernandino. Hindi ako kasali at ayaw kong makisali sa pulitika ng kanino man. Concerned lang ako dahil kami ang magbabayad ng monthly bills namin,” she said.
She also explained that her name is not included in the consumers’ list since her family just bought their house a few years ago and have not yet changed their billing names.