President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. (L) and Manuel V. Pangilinan. | PHOTOS: Official Facebook page of Bongbong Marcos and INQUIRER.net photo / Jilson Seckler Tiu
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday said that Manuel V. Pangilinan has allowed the restoration of normal water supply in Cagayan de Oro.
According to the chief executive, he spoke with the business tycoon regarding plans of Cagayan de Oro Bulkwater Inc. (Cobi) to stop its service to the Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD) over failure to settle a debt amounting to P470 million.
“Nakipag-usap tayo kay Mr. Manny Pangilinan ng Cagayan de Oro Bulk Water Inc. upang manumbalik ang normal na supply ng tubig habang humahanap tayo ng pangmatagalang solusyon sa problemang ito,” Marcos said.
(We talked to Mr. Manny Pangilinan of Cagayan de Oro Bulk Water Inc. to restore normal water supply while we look for a long-term solution to this problem.)
READ: Court averts water cut in Cagayan de Oro
A local court, however, already prevented the Pangilinan-led firm from cutting off water supply to around 40,000 households.
Nevertheless, Marcos also said Pangilinan agreed to work with the local government regarding the problem.
READ: Water supply woes grip Cagayan de Oro
“Pumayag po si Mr. Pangilinan sa ating pakiusap at handa po siyang makipag-usap upang matuldukan na ang suliraning ito at mabigyan ng kinakailangang tubig ang lampas animnapung libong kababayan dito sa Cagayan de Oro,” he said.
(Mr. Pangilinan agreed to listen to our request and he is ready to talk to end this problem and provide the necessary water to more than 60,000 citizens here in Cagayan de Oro.)
Marcos is in Cagayan de Oro to lead the distribution of assistance to El Niño-hit communities.
El Niño’s damage to agriculture has reached more than P6 billion, based on the latest data from the government.