Casiño: Don’t privatize water systems

CEBU, Philippines -  Partylist Representative Teodoro Casiño asked the people’s organizations of Central Visayas to support the campaign against the expanded privatization and corporatization of water systems in the country yesterday during his speaking engagement in the Non-Governmental Organization and Local Government Unit Water Summit.

The People’s Organizations of Central Visayas, who attended the summit yesterday at Rajah Park Hotel in Cebu City, highlighted the impact and vital role of the water system in health and livelihood in the communities.

Casiño, Bayan Muna Partylist representative, said that if privatization and corporatization will push through the price per cubic meter of water will increase and hundreds of employees of the water districts in the entire country will lose their jobs.

“Water systems in rural and urban areas which the government did not productively manage will not automatically be given to the businessmen, private sectors and private corporations,” Casiño said, adding that he came to Cebu to get the different experiences of the people’s organizations-managed water systems in the rural areas in Central Visayas for them to present it to the Senate prior to debate.

Casiño also presented an alternative solution; giving back to the people’s organizations the right and authority to run the community-based water system.

One of the organizations was the Water for the People Network, established in 2003 to reinforce and coordinate water-related issues.  And due to the persistent threats of corporatization and privatization Water System Employees Response was also established in 2004 to fight plans to privatize the country’s water services.

The Sibol ng Agham at Teknolohiya said Casiño was invited to speak in the water summit because Bayan Muna’s program and advocacy aligned with their belief that water is the basic need and service of humankind.  (FREEMAN)