Commitee Hearing:

The Status Of The Water Project In Sitio Cebuda, Bago Oshiro

(l-r)councilors bonicaio militar, rachel zozobrado and bago oshiro bgy. captain jonah macarayo

Residents of Sitio Cebuda in Bago Oshiro yesterday flocked to the City Council to rally for the implementation of the water project which has been delayed due to several problems involving the Bureau of Plant Industry XI and the Davao City Water District.

The water project, which was funded by the late councilor Jesus Zozobrado Jr., suffered hitches after BPI wrote DCWD saying the water project in the area is traversing the property being managed by BPI. It also said the installation of the water pipe will only encourage more squatters in the area.

Councilor Rachel Zozobrado delivered a privilege speech during last week's City Council session where she lamented the snail-pacing of the project despite the fact that every effort has been done by the barangay to push for its full implementation. She said efforts were made to appease the demands of BPI and this problem was already settled last year so DCWD allowed the hydrotesting. However, up to now, there is still no main water line operating in Sitio Cebuda in Bago Oshiro to the detriment of the residents who have been living in the area without water for several years already.

Councilor Bonifacio Militar scheduled this morning's hearing and invited DCWD and BPI to shed light on the matter. DCWD claimed that they still have to disinfect the line and this requires a payment of P11,839.70. Zozobrado said DCWD should have told the project proponent or the government agencies involved with the project as early as last year after the hydrotesting about the requirement.

DCWD Planning and Design Division chief Engineer Roendo Almonte apologized saying it may have been their fault as they failed to include the said amount in the project design which was the basis of the project cost. However, he assured Zozobrado and Militar that the project will be fasttracked as soon as the disinfection fee is paid.

"Wala man mi kabalo na naa diay pabayaran pa para sa disinfection fee ngano karon man lang nag-ingon ang Water District bisag kami na lanf unta nag tunga-tunga sa barangay para muagas lang ang tubig," barangay captain Jonah Macarayo said.