Dumaguete water firm hit for ‘malicious’ claims

DUMAGUETE CITY — The head of the city’s lone water distributor cried foul over what he said was a “malicious” accusation that the Dumaguete City Water District (DCWD) blocked a joint venture deal with a company to favor another.

Esperato A. Dicen, DCWD general manager, said claims made by Tubig Pilipinas Group Inc. (TPGI) that he and the DCWD blocked its proposal for a joint venture agreement to improve the city’s water supply system were baseless.

He said TPGI should be held liable for the false accusation.

TPGI claimed to have a partnership with Manila Water Co. Inc. (MWCI) and accused the DCWD of favoring another company.

Claims

In a complaint filed at the Ombudsman, TGPI, through business development officer Djerica S. Mate, claimed she and an MWCI representative were prevented by DCWD security guards from submitting an unsolicited proposal to develop and operate the water district.

Mate had accused Dicen of giving the order to prevent her and her companion from entering the DCWD offices.

The DCWD had published an invitation to apply for eligibility and to submit proposals for the DCWD Water Concession Project on March 28, 2018, in a national newspaper.

Unsolicited proposal

The invitation stated that an unsolicited proposal has been submitted by the MetroPac Water Investments Corp. (MPWIC), which has been granted original proponent status on Aug. 24, 2017.

Under implementing rules and regulations of the build-operate-transfer law, companies granted an original proponent status would have competitive advantage.

The original proponent can submit a counteroffer to any unsolicited proposal during a Swiss challenge.

Neda rules

TPGI claimed that the refusal of the DCWD to accept its proposal was clear indication of the preference given to MPWIC.

But Dicen, the DCWD chair, said in reply to the Ombudsman that his office was just complying with National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) rules.

He said rules prohibited the DCWD from entertaining other proposals. —Irma Faith B. Pal