LWUA urged to probe Nueva Ecija appointments

GAPAN, Nueva Ecija – The Local Waterworks and Utilities Administration (LWUA) was urged over the weekend to conduct a full-dress investigation into the alleged "midnight appointment" of two directors of the local water district by a former municipal mayor.

Mayor Ernesto Natividad has asked LWUA chief Prudencio Reyes to investigate his predecessor, ex-Mayor Arthur Velayo for allegedly abusing his powers by designating an uncle to the Board of Directors of the Gapan Water District (GWD) even beyond his term of office.

Natividad claimed that Velayo appointed his uncle Godofredo Velayo and one Rufina Garcia as members of the Board of Directors of the water district last July 5, a week after his term had lapsed.

Velayo, son of former Mayor Virgilio Velayo, lost to Natividad in the mayoral polls last May.

The GWD used to be run by the municipal government but it was assumed by the LWUA sometime in the ’70s during the time of ex-Mayor Basilio Manuel.

Velayo had also earlier appointed as the GWD’s manager Shiela Marie Velayo, the daughter of the chairman of the board Boy Velayo. Other board members were Mariano Velayo San Jose, uncle of the mayor’s father and one Nicomedes Tolentino.

Water districts are administratively supervised by the LWUA. However, mayors are empowered to appoint members of the board subject to the approval of the LWUA administrator. — Manny Galvez