Richli Water, one of the water utility companies operating in Bohol, presented its proposal for a bulk water supply to Dauis town during the regular session of the town’s Sangguniang Bayan (SB) on July 11, 2022.
However Vice Mayor Marietta Sumaylo frowned upon the water utility company’s plan.
Reports say that Richli Water chairman Richard Lim and its president Ralph Lim made the presentation before the members of the SB.
Both proposed for a bulk water supply contract where Richli will supply the water delivered to the town’s waterworks tanks to be distributed to consumers.
The proposal, according to reports, entails that Richli Water will supply bulk water to Dauis at P35 per cubic meter (cu. m.
Currently, Dauis has a bulk water supply contract with Bohol Water Utilities Inc. (BWUI) for P11/cu. m. and sold to consumers at P16/cu. m. and the pact is set to expire in 2028, reports add.
Ralph Lim explained that his company’s price is more expensive compared to BWUI because the water produced by the company goes through 7 stages and is safe for human consumption.
As this developed, Sumaylo frowned upon the proposal of the said water utility company.
“Dili nato e-grab, or dili usa nato dawaton ang offer sa Richli Water para mupalit ang lungsod sa Dauis sa bulk water,” she said.
Sumaylo cited several reasons she is not keen on Richli’s offer at this time. She said that there is an existing bulk water supply contract between Dauis and BWUI, and the offer price of Richli Water is P35 per cu. m. Compared to that of BUWI which is onlyvP16 per cu.m.
The vice mayor said that during her time as mayor of Dauis, Richli’s proposal was P25/cu. m.
Moreover, Sumaylo said that Richli’s price is too steep for the budget of the ordinary Dauis water consumer.
The vice mayor did not shoot down the proposal entirely, as the plan will be subjected to public hearing or due process.
She pointed out that during her administration, Richli Water was given permission to supply water directly to Dauis consumers so that the people can have options. (Joshua Fullido)