MOA ends north Cebu water row

CEBU - After five years of having deprived to operate its well because of political conflict between two local government units in northern Cebu, a local waterworks system association in Medellin town finally heaved a sigh of relief after the intercession done by the provincial government to resolve the conflict.

Panugnawan Waterworks Association may not be able to resume the operation of its water well in barangay Malbago, municipality of Daanbantayan after it was padlocked by the local government unit five years ago, but in exchange the Province of Cebu will finance for the construction of their new water well in Medellin.

A memorandum of agreement that ended the conflict was formally entered into yesterday between the Province of Cebu, Daanbantayan, Medellin and Panugnawan Waterworks Association.

Panugnawan Waterworks used to extract water from a government well in a parcel of land located in Malbago. However, because of misunderstanding the well was padlocked by then Daanbantayan Mayor Maria Luisa Loot.

The waterworks management filed a case against Loot before the National Water Resources Board, which was reportedly decided in favor of the complainant. But, despite the NWRB ruling the waterworks failed to resume its operation until now.

Invoking the General Welfare Clause of the Local Government Code, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia stepped into the problem by promoting understanding, harmony and cooperation between the contending parties, thus the MOA signing.

Based on the agreement, the waterworks association agreed to pull out its water pump and pipes in Malbago and transfer such to barangay Curva in Medellin; and withdraw, waive and renounce any and all claims against the local government of Daanbantayan.

Likewise, the Daanbantayan municipal government will renounce its counterclaims against the waterworks association.

The municipal government of Medellin, on the other hand, shall, in cooperation with the waterworks association and the provincial government, identify a suitable site where the water pump will be transferred.

The Province of Cebu will be the one to construct the water system for Daanbantayan and for the people of Panugnawan in Medellin. It will also provide technical assistance to the other parties of the MOA as regards to the repair, operation, and maintenance of said wells and water system.

NWRB executive director Ramon Alikpala, who witnessed the MOA signing, welcomed the initiative of the province to put an end to the conflict.

Alikpala said that because of the compromise agreement, whatever decision that the NWRB has earlier rendered will be lifted.

“What was done here was the ideal,” Alikpala said.

Porferio Cuyos, general manager of the Panugnawan Waterworks Association, thanked Garcia for taking the move to resolve the conflict. – Fred P. Languido/MEEV   (THE FREEMAN)