CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The leadership dispute at the Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD) has escalated, with two general managers now claiming authority over the agency, causing confusion among employees and the public.
The dispute stems from the decision of the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) to extend the term of Interim General Manager Fermin Jarales, despite the expiration of the interim management’s mandate on February 28, 2025. Meanwhile, the COWD Board of Directors, through Board Resolution No. 131, s-2024, appointed Engr. Edna S. Najeal as Acting General Manager. The board argued that the interim management failed to secure the necessary LWUA Board of Trustees resolution for an extension, thus necessitating the appointment of a new general manager.
The COWD assured the public that its operations remain uninterrupted despite the leadership controversy. Engr. Najeal emphasized that her priority is maintaining service quality in areas with a stable water supply while addressing shortages in other areas. In an official statement, the COWD Board expressed gratitude for public support and reiterated its commitment to improving water services.
In response to the leadership crisis, the 20th City Council passed four resolutions during its regular session on Monday, calling for intervention in the ongoing dispute. One of the resolutions condemns the LWUA for ‘grave abuse of authority’ and for ‘instigating confusion and controversy’ within the COWD. Council Majority Floor Leader Edgar Cabanlas questioned why the LWUA extended the interim management’s term for another six months despite failing to resolve issues within the initial period.
‘They were given six months to solve whatever problems they claimed were going inside COWD… after six months, nothing happened, and they were given another six months,’ Cabanlas said in his report. He further accused the LWUA of undermining the authority of Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Rolando ‘Klarex’ Uy, who had already appointed a regular board to oversee COWD’s operations.
The city council also passed resolutions urging the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC) to intervene and requesting the court to expedite the resolution of the dispute between the LWUA and the COWD regular board.
The leadership crisis at COWD comes amid ongoing challenges, including a billing dispute with Cagayan de Oro Bulk Water Inc. (COBI), which remains unresolved. The unpaid balance resulting from this dispute has added financial strain to the water district, further complicating its management.
With two general managers asserting control and conflicting mandates from the LWUA and the COWD board, uncertainty looms over the water district’s future. Customers can only hope for a swift resolution to ensure the continued and efficient delivery of essential water services in the city.