Richli Water has acknowledged the removal of water pipes that were part of a significant waterworks project initiated by the local government.
Elmer Lim, a spokesperson for Richli Water, confirmed that the company had indeed uprooted the pipes installed by a contractor working for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
These pipes were an integral component of Balilihan’s waterworks system, intended to connect barangay Magsaysay in Sevilla to the Bugwak Spring—the primary source of water for Balilihan.
Richli Water has justified their actions by claiming that the pipes were laid within the bounds of private property.
The company asserts that the local government unit (LGU) of Balilihan did not secure the necessary permissions from the landowner before proceeding with the installation.
The controversy centers around a P95 million investment in Balilihan’s infrastructure, with the disputed pipes having been placed just weeks prior to their removal.
Reports indicate that during the uprooting process, no objections were raised by onlookers or personnel from Balilihan.
In response to Richli Water’s claims, Balilihan Mayor Pureza Chatto took to social media to share photographs of documents that purportedly demonstrate compliance with regulatory standards.
These documents include certifications from national government agencies, which Mayor Chatto suggests should dispel any allegations of trespassing or unauthorized activity.
Richli Water maintains that proper protocol would have involved seeking permissions from both the property owner and the LGU of Sevilla before initiating any construction work.
The situation remains tense as both parties navigate this complex legal and communal dispute.
Meanwhile, in a Facebook post, Mayor Chatto has expressed her dismay over the alleged removal of water pipes from the town’s waterworks system.
These pipes, which were connected to Bugwak Spring and installed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), are reported to have been uprooted on June 9, 2024.
Mayor Chatto also addressed the issue during her guest appearance on the Open Forum radio show with hosts Ardy Araneta-Batoy and Gloria Leodivics Araneta on June 10. She described the emotional toll of witnessing the disruption to a project that has been four years in the making.
The mayor clarified that Bugwak Spring is part of the Loboc River system, with structures situated directly at the spring.
She emphasized that there is a stretch of public land between the river and any claimed private property, in addition to a 20-meter easement from the riverbank.
According to Chatto, the pipes were positioned within this public domain and easement area for Balilihan’s waterworks usage. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has certified that the river does not fall under private ownership.
Reports indicate that approximately 15 individuals may have collaborated in the extraction of the pipes, as per witnesses who spoke with Mayor Chatto.
The incident has unfortunately resulted in further delays for Balilihan’s waterworks project.
During her site visit for inspection, Mayor Chatto was accompanied by local barangay tanods, officials, and construction workers.
She also took the opportunity to dispel circulating rumors of being accompanied by beauty queens or members of the New People’s Army during her visit to Bugwak Spring.
While local authorities are hesitant to label the situation as a ‘water war,’ tensions have been escalating between Balilihan, neighboring Sevilla, and Richli, a private water company, for some time.
CONG. CHATTO REACTS
In a dramatic escalation of ongoing tensions over Balilihan’s waterworks system, Congressman Edgar Chatto has decried what he termed a “siege” after discovering that crucial infrastructure had been forcibly removed.
During an appearance on Ardy Araneta-Batoy’s ‘Newsmakers ug Uban Pa’, Chatto revealed that pipes and pumps integral to the town’s water supply had been uprooted without authorization on June 9.
The incident occurred in Barangay Magsaysay, Sevilla, where the waterworks system—sourcing from Bugwak Spring—has become a contentious issue.
A representative from Richli Water defended their actions, claiming the equipment was installed on private land without consent from the owner or local authorities.
However, Chatto has vowed to pursue legal avenues, emphasizing the project’s importance for meeting Balilihan’s water needs—a joint effort by the LGU Balilihan and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
This latest development marks another chapter in the protracted dispute between Balilihan and Richli Water, with numerous legal battles previously arising from the conflict.
Chatto insists that proper documentation exists to verify the legality of the project’s location on public land and calls for a suitable forum to resolve these pressing issues.