NOTE: THIS STORY WAS FIRST PUBLISHED IN THE BOHOL CHRONICLE’S SUNDAY PRINT EDITION.
A make-or-break meeting was initiated by Balilihan Mayor Pureza Chatto with Sevilla Mayor Juliet Dano to thresh out widening differences over the utilization of Bugwak Spring as the main source of water for Balilihan residents turned into a shocking revelation for the officials of Sevilla after Chatto stood by their position that Bugwak Spring is not located in Sevilla but in the middle of Loboc River.
The tough stance displayed by the LGU-Balilihan led Dano to express her deep disappointment over the lack of respect accorded to the town of Sevilla when a submersible pump, intake system steel structure, discharge pipe, and thrust block concrete cement were allegedly erected in a private lot in Barangay Magsaysay without the prior permission from the barangay and municipal officials
A small measure of decency and propriety should have been observed by the LGU-Balilihan with respect to the sensibilities of Sevilla when the project was started and even during the duration of the development phase, according to Dano.
Chatto explained that the issue of the exact location of Bugwak Spring was the geographical measurement provided by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) which Balilihan adopted in their application for a water permit stating that Bugwak Spring is located in the middle of Loboc River and not in a dry land.
Dano is now assessing the gravity of her initial decision to defend the territorial integrity of Sevilla by seeking the removal of structures erected by Balilihan without the permission of the LGU. The removal of the structures will cut off the water supply of Balilihan.
Dano also brushed off the apparent rift between the LGU Balilihan and Richli as an issue to be resolved by the parties involved even as Chatto accused Richli of monopolizing the supply of water from Bugwak Spring thru the filing of a cancellation of the water permit of Balilihan.
According to Richli, the cancellation of the water permit of Balilihan was due to the ocular inspection undertaken by NWRB technical team that validated the protest filed by the water provider regarding the erroneous location of the geographical coordinates of Balilihan.
Chatto also disclosed the geographical coordinates of Richli as to the source of their water were also erroneous leading the NWRB to issue a show cause order which Richli responded that NWRB conduct an ocular inspection to validate their allegations.
The resolution of the motion for reconsideration filed by Balilihan before the NWRB is keenly awaited by both parties – Balilihan and Richli with the NWRB still uncertain when the board will come up with the decision on the water conflict. (Chito M. Visarra)
The contentious water conflict case between the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Balilihan and Richli Corporation is still awaiting resolution from the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) even as the much-anticipated consultation meeting between officials of Balilihan and Sevilla apparently failed to settle the location of Bugwak Spring declared by the NWRB situated in Barangay Magsaysay, Sevilla.
A make-or-break meeting was initiated by Balilihan Mayor Pureza Chatto with Sevilla Mayor Juliet Dano to thresh out widening differences over the utilization of Bugwak Spring as the main source of water for Balilihan residents turned into a shocking revelation for the officials of Sevilla after Chatto stood by their position that Bugwak Spring is not located in Sevilla but in the middle of Loboc River.
The tough stance displayed by the LGU-Balilihan led Dano to express her deep disappointment over the lack of respect accorded to the town of Sevilla when a submersible pump, intake system steel structure, discharge pipe, and thrust block concrete cement were allegedly erected in a private lot in Barangay Magsaysay without the prior permission from the barangay and municipal officials
A small measure of decency and propriety should have been observed by the LGU-Balilihan with respect to the sensibilities of Sevilla when the project was started and even during the duration of the development phase, according to Dano.
Chatto explained that the issue of the exact location of Bugwak Spring was the geographical measurement provided by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) which Balilihan adopted in their application for a water permit stating that Bugwak Spring is located in the middle of Loboc River and not in a dry land.
Dano is now assessing the gravity of her initial decision to defend the territorial integrity of Sevilla by seeking the removal of structures erected by Balilihan without the permission of the LGU. The removal of the structures will cut off the water supply of Balilihan.
Dano also brushed off the apparent rift between the LGU Balilihan and Richli as an issue to be resolved by the parties involved even as Chatto accused Richli of monopolizing the supply of water from Bugwak Spring thru the filing of a cancellation of the water permit of Balilihan.
According to Richli, the cancellation of the water permit of Balilihan was due to the ocular inspection undertaken by NWRB technical team that validated the protest filed by the water provider regarding the erroneous location of the geographical coordinates of Balilihan.
Chatto also disclosed the geographical coordinates of Richli as to the source of their water were also erroneous leading the NWRB to issue a show cause order which Richli responded that NWRB conduct an ocular inspection to validate their allegations.
The resolution of the motion for reconsideration filed by Balilihan before the NWRB is keenly awaited by both parties – Balilihan and Richli with the NWRB still uncertain when the board will come up with the decision on the water conflict. (Chito M. Visarra)