Time for solutions at MIWD – Defensor

By Tara Yap
“I DON’T give a damn!”

This was the reaction of Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. as he disassociated himself from the brewing problem on who should appoint the board of directors of the Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD).

Earlier, Daniel Landingin, administrator of the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), issued a statement that the governor has the appointing authority and not Iloilo City Mayor Jed Mabilog.

According to LWUA, a provision on Section 3-B of Presidential Decree 198 states that it is the prerogative of the city mayor to appoint the board of directors of a water district if 75% of its water connections are found within its political boundary. Otherwise, the appointing power is the provincial governor.

Defensor said he wants the issue resolved without having to add more problems to the water district. He emphasized that the problem of water shortage must be addressed first instead of squabbling over the appointing authority of the board.

He said the debate on who should appoint the MIWD directors is not helping MIWD solve the inadequate water supply.

“We must work together to solve the shortage of water supply, not make it worse with internal conflicts,” Defensor pointed out.

Defensor stressed officials of both the city and province must work together.

”What is Metro Iloilo? It isn’t Iloilo City alone,” Defensor said.

Aside from Iloilo City, the towns of Pavia, Santa Barbara, Cabatuan, Maasin, San Miguel, and Oton are also part of MIWD’s service area.