In a radio interview on Jan. 19, 2023 over Newsmakers ug Uban Pa, Balilihan vice mayor Trisha Chatto categorically denied that there is a plan by the local government unit (LGU) to sell to other places the water it may source from the town. 

It was alleged that the LGU is joining forces with the Bohol Water Utilities Inc. to sell water to other towns and the supply of this water will come from Balilihan.

The vice mayor set the record straight when a critic released on social media a piece of information alleging that the town plans to sell water to other places in the province.

The critic said that the LGU, via the Sangguniang Bayan (SB), forged a “Memorandum of Agreement” with the BWUI where water sourced from Balilihan will be allegedly sold to other places in the province.

In the interview, Chatto said: “Una sa tanan, akong klarohon nga kanang ilang giingon nga sinabtanay was an initial understanding. It is not a final agreement. So dili pa na sya full-blown contract. Unya ako pod klarohon [nga] wala to syay labot sa Bugwak Spring.”

The vice mayor said that BWUI set its sights on another water source in Balilihan, which is near the poblacion area.

In fact, BWUI released a statement saying that it is not interested in the water coming from Bugwak Spring.

“Naghimo ug statement ang BWUI, the other week, I believe. Wala gyud silay interest sa Bugwak. They are interested in Balilihan, pero dili gyud sa Bugwak,” she added.

She said that in the Memorandum of Understanding between LGU and BWUI, it was clear that Balilihan will be the one who will own the water right. If in case the town gets a water right, the LGU will conduct a public bidding in case the water supply gets sold to other towns.

“Muagi pa na sya ug bidding. Even BWUI, even if naa na mi initial understanding [with BWUI], dili pa sila sigurado nga sila ang makakuha [sa tubig]. Gani, pwede pa moingon ang Balilihan nga dili namo idayon; kami nalang diay ani,” she mentioned during the interview.

The vice mayor revealed that the LGU has already an agreement with barangay Sto. Niño where the water drawn from Bugwak Spring will be solely for the consumption of the town’s residents.

The vice mayor said that Richli Water wanted to forge an agreement with LGU Balilihan where the latter will not sell water to BWUI and to other towns.

“Gusto sila [Richli Water] ug Memorandum of Agreement nga dili namo ibaligya sa laing lungsod [ang tubig] ug dili namo ibaligya sa BWUI,” the vice mayor explained.

Chatto said that the LGU cannot forge an agreement with a private corporation as it is tantamount to graft and corruption. This is not allowed, the vice mayor said, because the LGU will be favoring a particular private company.

However, the LGU can forge agreements with other government entities such as the pact with barangay Sto. Niño.

OPPOSITION?

The vice mayor clarified that the LGU opposed the CWP application of Richli Water in Balilihan because the government wants to know the plans of the private company in the town.

However, the NWRB dismissed the opposition of the LGU as the private company has no obligation to consult with the town government.

The vice mayor insists that the opposition to Richli Water is not because the LGU desires to block the entry of the business entity; the LGU wants the private company to provide information about its plans for the town. The vice mayor said that the LGU has been asking for the private company’s water plans for Balilihan but until now, the LGU hasn’t received any response from Richli Water regarding the LGU’s request for the former to provide the LGU, the water plans of Richli Water.

Furthermore, Richli Water has yet to develop the water project out of the CWP it has obtained from the NWRB. A CWP holder is given a year by the NWRB to develop the water project stipulated in the permit. 

Mayor Pureza Chatto made it clear that the town is open for enterprises to set up shops in Balilihan as long as the company bares its plans to the town’s leaders.

“Open gyud mi sa investors, ma’am, but it doesn’t mean nga basta basta nga maka sulod sa Balilihan [ang bisan kinsa nga investor]; ilabi na kay water. Basta basta [lang diay] kintahay sila magkubkob sa among mga kalsada para agian sa ilang mga pipes unya wala kabalo ang LGU? They have to present their plans to us,” the vice mayor stated in the interview.

LOT BUYING SPREE

The vice mayor reiterated her statement saying that Richli Water seems to be engaging in a lot buying spree based on the documents presented by the water company. Richli Water presents as evidence the deeds of sale of lots purchased near Bugwak Spring in cases related to the waterworks issue.

“Naa man tay mga ongoing cases nga gi-file sa Richli [against LGU Balilihan] ug ang ilang ipangsubmit kay ang mga deeds of sale nila. So, matrace jud namo kung kanus-a according to them based on their papers, kanus-a nila gipamalit ang yuta. When we go through the details, when we go to the facts ug unsay nahitabo mailhan man gyud nato ug asa mi magsugod ug construct. Or ug asa mi nagconstruct nga naa na ang among structures after a few days, paliton nila ang yuta unya after a few days mosend sila ug demand letter nga ipatangtang ang among structure,” she explained.

The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) issued a conditional water permit (CWP) to Balilihan. The LGU Balilihan was allowed by the NWRB to draw 227.19 liters per second (LPS) from the said spring. 

Moreover, Richli Water was able to secure a CWP for Bugwak Spring, where the NWRB allowed the water company to draw 894.47 LPS, according to reports.

The vice mayor believes that Richli Water has yet to develop a project under its CWP. 

“Murag nabantayan namo although dili mi 100% sure nga hilig sila ug mo apply ug water rights unya dili nila e-pursue or dili nila e-develop; murag pasagdan lang aron mablocking-an ang uban,” the vice mayor quipped.