Cebu City Council calls for executive session today to discuss state of water in the city

Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgar Labella /CDN File Photo

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Officials of the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) will be appear in an executive session called by the Cebu City Council this afternoon, April 30, to brief legislators of the state of the city’s water supply.

The executive session will be held after this afternoon’s regular session that is scheduled to start at 2 p.m.

Representatives from the City Disaster Risk Reduction Office (CDRRMO) will also presenting their plans on how to ease the ill effects of the El Niño on the city’s water supply during the same gathering.

During the Council’s regular session on April 2,  Councilor Raymond Garcia moved for the passage of a resolution to invite MCWD and CDRRMO representatives to an executive session to discuss the state of the city’s water supply.

Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Edgardo said that the city seems unprepared for the El Niño.

In a Facebook post this morning, Labella said that the city’s acquisition of water drums and hoses is not enough to caution the ill effects of the El Niño.

“(After) almost 30 years as mayor of Cebu City and all you have done to address our water issue is give hoses and drums, blame the MCWD and its directors,” said Labella’s post.

“With due respect Mr. Osmeña, you failed Cebu City on this matter, among many others. Don’t ask me what I have done because I’m not yet mayor. Instead, ask me what I can do when I’m mayor,” he added.

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña retaliated on his Facebook page.

“And what have YOU done to help Liebella? At least we are trying to help the people who are affected,” said Osmeña’s post.

The Cebu City government has commissioned 40 water tankers to supply water to the areas gravely affected by the lack of water supply. The city government has also set up a hotline that residents could call to request for water delivery./dcb