Balilihan mayor Pureza Veloso-Chatto reiterated that her local government unit (LGU) has no intent to wage a “water war” with a private investor, known as Richli Water.
This was the mayor’s stance during a press conference on Jan. 13, 2023 together with Vice Mayor Trisha Chatto and Cong. Edgar Chatto. The press conference was also attended by members of the Sangguniang Bayan of Balilihan and personnel from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) as well as some LGU officials. The press conference was done at the House of Lechon along JA Clarin street.
The mayor gathered members of the media to set the record straight regarding the story that saw print in another Bohol weekly newspaper (not the Bohol Tribune) where it was depicted that the LGU and Richli are having an alleged “water war”.
The press conference was attended by several media practitioners from print and broadcast media.
In the article, entitled: “Water War” seen to escalate in 2023, was printed in another weekly newspaper (not The Bohol Tribune) speaks about a supposed clash for the distribution and production of water and the conflict might reach a cresendo this 2023.
Mayor Chatto faced the media to correct the notion that there is a “water war” between the LGU and Richli Water, when there is none. There is no such thing as a water war, the mayor emphasized.
“Nagpatawag ta ug presscon tungod kay the other Sunday, diha tay nabasa sa pamantalaan nga nagingon nga water war to escalate in 2023. Mura ug mahikurat pod ta ana ‘no. Mao to atong gebasa ug among nakita kadto nagistorya diay kabahin sa panubig sa Balilihan ug usa ka pribadong investor,” the mayor said.
The mayor said the LGU and its people are not interested in waging war with anybody. She reiterated that the people of the town are peace-loving but they will fight for their rights if necessary.