Water in the Mayor’s SOCA

People kill each other over diamonds; countries go to war over oil. But the world’s most expensive commodities are worth nothing in the absence of water. Fresh water is essential for life, with no substitute. Although mostly unpriced, it is the most valuable stuff in the world.”

The lead paragraph of an article published by the online edition of the Economist invites the reader in Cebu City to evaluate water as it impacts on local governance.

The brouhaha over alleged solicitation for bottled water by the office of Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has his secretary, Belinda Navascues at the center of the controversy.  Reports say Ms. Navascues sent a solicitation letter to a business establishment asking for bottled water to be distributed on Wednesday, July 1 during hizzoner’s State of the City Address (SOCA).

It was Councilor Sisinio Andales, a stalwart of the rival camp Bando Osmena Pundok Kauswagan, who raised the issue after he got hold of the purported letter signed by Navascues.  Andales castigated the Rama administration and warned the controversy could be a basis for the filing of a graft case.

For her part, Navascues denied signing the letter or using the authority of the mayor in making solicitations for bottled water.  Mayor Rama likewise washed his hands off the issue.  By emphasizing that government and the private sector are partners for the common good, I think he was saying the issue is a political stunt.

The controversy, which first found its way on social media, triggered many interesting online and broadcast opinions. The thread of the commentaries point to the belief that Belinda Navascues did indeed solicit in behalf of the office of the city mayor.

Based on this assumption, I heard one popular radio commentator asking the city government what it does with excess in the deliveries of bottled water, if and when they are not fully consumed in the particular event for which the commodity was solicited.

Stressing that bottled water has a price, in the hands of unscrupulous employees it can be diverted for other purposes.  The broadcaster also stressed solicitations amount to double taxation on the part of private business.

On the other hand, it is surprising why the local government does not tap the Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD) for water supply to support official activities like the SOCA.  Malou Tabar of CCTN Channel 47 raised this opinion last week in the public affairs program, “Hello Cebu, Maayong Buntag Pinoy”.

I absolutely share her views.  Rather than procure bottled water that costs taxpayers’ money, or amounts to double taxation on the part of private business, MCWD can install water dispensers and supply paper cups in designated areas.

With that, the SOCA with MCWD on the sidelines would be a great promotional event for the water company to trumpet the quality of its supply – 101% potable.

Many years ago MCWD inked a twinning project with a government-owned water company based in Yokohama, Japan.  The 2008 project enabled MCWD officials to go on exposure trips to Yokohama to learn best practices from their Japanese counterparts.

One of significant learnings focused on improvement of water quality and treatment through rapid sand filtration rehabilitation and removal of elements like iron and manganese as well as dilution of nitrate.

According to the MCWD website, at the end of the twinning project, the Japanese counterparts came up with an assesssment that MCWD was on its way to become the Philippines’ premier water company.

Mayor Mike Rama has a staunch supporter sitting at the helm of MCWD’s Board of Directors. I’m sure Mr. Rene Mercado will not delay any request from the mayor’s office if it’s backed by a sound proposal — one that encourages the local water company to participate, not just as mere benefactor, but as a lead agency that can even enhance the Mayor Rama’s report card.