ANGELES CITY – The city council wants to know the financial state of a public utility company here with its looming “privatization” and following reports of irregularities.
Councilor Jesus “Jay” Sangil has urged the Angeles City Water District (ACWD) to show the public through the city council its financial state following reports of privatization move of the water district.
Councilor Alfie Bonifacio wants the ACWD to explain the purchase of two water trucks for P15 million.
Sangil and Bonifacio, chairpersons of the committees on public works and engineering and public utilities respectively, alleged that the two water trucks purchased by ACWD have been allegedly “overpriced.”
The councilors alleged the two trucks were approved by the ACWD board and purchased by the management at P10 million each from the Subic Bay auction center.
However, Sangil said after checking, the original price of the same units amounted to only P2.5 million each for a total of P5 million.
Sangil said records gathered at the ACWD showed a P20 million total was released for the two trucks.
A few weeks ago, Sangil and Bonifacio bared the privatization and/or joint venture move of the water district with a big water firm.
The councilors said the big water firm was reportedly permitted to conduct feasibility study and allowed data meter logging activity in several pumping stations which is a “highly questionable and illegal” process.
“Ayaw namang isipin ng ating mga kababayan na maliwanag na parang favored na ang private water company kaya binibigyan ng kodigo in preparation for bidding process,” according to the two councilors.
Sangil and Bonifacio said they have to “protect and safeguard our constituents since they are the consumers of the ACWD.”
“That is why we also requested the Commission on Audit and the Local Water Utilities Administration to conduct an audit because of alleged irregularities of the ACWD,” Sangil said. “If there is nothing to hide, there is nothing to fear.”
