The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
has sought the assistance of the Provincial Government of
Bohol (PGBH) in their urgent request for LGU Sevilla to
restore the dismantled equipment that is part of the
Balilihan Water Supply System project.
DPWH-7 Regional Director Ernesto Gregorio, Jr. made the
follow-up in a letter dated July 6, 2023, addressed to the
Provincial Government of Bohol through Governor Aris
Aumentado and copy furnished to the LGUs of Balilihan
and Sevilla.
The DPWH cited the continued disregard of the
Municipality of Sevilla to begin restoration of the
equipment to its original and operational state nor taken
steps for its return, a request that the agency made in a
letter last June 9, 2023.
The agency also informed the PGBH as well as LGUs that
it is in contact with the Office of the Solicitor General and
formulating possible legal actions regarding the
removal/dismantling of the project equipment.
The agency maintains that there is a need to recognize
the immediate and primordial need of the people in
Balilihan for water.
The intake structures, submersible pumps, and electrical
cables were installed by DPWH under Contract ID No.
20HA0083 funded in the 2020 General Appropriations Act,
with succeeding phases for the project for implementation
this year.
Its removal and dismantling are considered as an
unwarranted destruction of government property and
undue wastage of government funds, the DPWH
explained.
DPWH also pointed to Republic Act (R.A.) 8975, an Act to
Ensure the Expeditious Implementation and Completion of
Government Infrastructure Projects by Prohibiting Lower
Courts from Issuing Temporary Restraining Orders,
Preliminary Injunctions or Preliminary Mandatory
Injunctions which strengthens their mandate to maintain
the equipment as components of the project, protect them
from damage, and ensure that government funds are not
unduly wasted.
There has been tension and controversy surrounding the
Balilihan Water Supply System project due to
disagreements over the “beneficial use” of water sourced
from Bugwak Spring located in Purok 6, Barangay
Magsaysay, Sevilla.
The Local Government Unit (LGU) of Balilihan conducted
a road clearing operation dismantling alleged roadblocks
erected by private water distributor Richli Corporation on a
stretch of a disputed barangay road in Barangay Sto.
Nino, Balilihan.
There have also been disagreements over the exact
location of Bugwak Spring, with Balilihan Mayor Pureza
Chatto stating that it is located in the middle of Loboc
River, while Sevilla officials maintain that it is located in
their town.