SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga—Local Government Secretary Ismael D. Sueno warned anew all local government officials not to interfere with the operation of local water utilities in their respective areas or face “final sanction” from the government.
Sueno issued the warning after receiving reports that LGU officials continued to put their relatives, friends and associates on the local water utility boards.
In Memorandum Circular No. 2016-146, Sueno ordered all governors, city and municipal mayors, regional directors of the DILG and other concerned offices to stop interfering with the local water utilities.
“It has been brought to our attention that some local government officials continue to exercise control and supervision over local water districts, despite a series of department issuances reminding local authorities of the operational autonomy of the local water districts,” Sueno said.
The secretary reminded the local authorities that the water districts formed under Presidential Decree No. 198 as amended and other department circulars are not under the jurisdiction of any political subdivisions. He stressed that water districts are autonomous agencies independent of the local government.
They should be at their best when they are allowed to operate “without the least hindrance and interference from the local officials, but with maximum support and assistance,” he added.
“While the Local Government Code provides for the legal basis relative to the devolution of power, functions and attributes granted to the local water utilities administration, there is nothing in the code that indicates that it has repealed the pertinent provisions of PD No. 198,” Sueno added.
Meanwhile, one of two pumping stations of the City of San Fernando Water District was opened Thursday in Barangay Sta. Lucia here.
The pumping station, worth P22 million, has a 300-cubic-meter capacity and will serve the surrounding villages of San Nicolas and Del Pilar.
Ferdinand Caylao, vice chairman of the San Fernando water district, said another pumping station will be opened soon in Barangay Telebastagan with a capacity of 500 cubic meters.
These pumping stations aim to meet the growing demands of the city, which is one of the fast developing areas in Central Luzon, Caylao added.
