Cong. Edgar Chatto, during the Jan. 13, 2023 press conference called by the local government unit (LGU) of Balilihan, issued statements in relation to the Balilihan water project and the perceived conflict with Richli Water (a conflict published in a local paper which is not The Bohol Tribune).
Chatto’s presence in the press conference was to shed more light to a first district town which is Balilihan. The congressman said that he has also been supporting other towns in his district – towns that are wanting to develop a waterworks project.
Chatto was present in the press conference because the Balilihan Bulk Water Project is funded by the national government and being Congressman, he will not allow the project to get derailed.
During the press conference, Cong. Chatto listened intently to the Balilihan LGU officials as the latter made explanations about the issue and the perceived “water war”.
The congressman acknowledged that there were attacks on his person related to the project but he is setting aside any action on those who are maligning his name as he wants to bring the focus of discussion to the perceived “water war” which, as far as Balilihan is concerned, does not exist. The congressman wants to focus on the merits of the project and the position of the LGU officials as he thinks that the LGU needs to stop wrong information to continue.
RESPECT
He was definite in his statement saying that LGU Balilihan is open to private investors but the entry of the latter should be so done that both parties will exercise due respect to each other. The congressman wants both the private business sector and the government sector to have mutual respect to each other. Respect, he said, could not be a one-way street.
Providing water, the solon said, is clearly, a mandate of the LGU. If the LGUs are unable to provide water then they can tap the private sector to do the job of providing water to the constituents, the solon explained.
The position of the solon is not to disturb the plans of the LGUs if they want to pursue their own waterworks program.
At the same time the business sector is welcome to invest and directly supply water to the people.
The solon emphasized that Balilihan is never in opposition if any business entity wants to invest and supply water directly to the residents of the town.
SUPPORT
In fact, the solon said that in 3 instances during his time as governor of Bohol, the provincial government supported Richli Water’s plan to provide water here.
The first instance was when Richli Water was seeking the support of barangay Patrocinio, Cortes officials. In that instance, Chatto urged the officials of the barangay to support Richli Water’s project as water supply was needed in Dauis, Panglao and Tagbilaran City – and Richli’s project then was a very good entity to satisfy the needs of the three (3) areas. The solon added that he gave the specific words of support for Richli Water’s project with the condition that the project will not hurt the environment.
The second instance Chatto helped the company was during the time the latter needed to secure a permit for a digging project. Chatto made it easy for the company to get the permit making sure that there was no shortcut in the process and that everything was placed and done in order and according to law. Chatto said that he gathered all the people at the Capitol who were needed for the permit to be processed.
The third instance Chatto helped the company was when he delivered a favorable speech about Richli Water in one affair at Mabini town.
In a nutshell, the solon reiterated that there are avenues where business entities and the LGUs can work together to provide water supply to the masses. What is needed, the solon said, is that all parties should fulfill their task, under the law, to provide water to the people.
