MCWD signs bulk water deal with Danao

Danao City Mayor Ramon “Boy” Durano Jr. promised lower water rates for Danao City residents and  P153 million revenue from a P450 million Bulk Water Supply project scheduled to be completed next year.

Durano, who signed the Bulk Water Supply Contract with the Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD) on Tuesday, said  the project would cover the construction of a  water dam, water treatment and pipe laying.

Durano said  the city would also earn revenues from the project, which is scheduled to be completed in 15 months after the effectivity of the contract.

MCWD will pay P21 per cubic meter for the 20,000 cubic meters that Danao City will supply for a year.

Danao will gain  P153,300,000 in revenues from the project.

The project will tap surface water in Tangon River, in barangay Sta. Rosa, where a volume of 20,000 cubic meters  should be produced daily.

However, if Danao City fails  to produce this volume, the city will  be liable to pay penalties.

A Danao City consumer currently pays  P50 for the first 10 cubic meters of water consumed.

MCWD General Manager Armando Paredes said  14,000 to 15,000 houses will benefit from the project as water from the Tangon River project would supply areas in barangays Pit-os and Talamban in northern Cebu City, parts of Mandaue and Mactan Island where water supply is lacking.

Meanwhile, Mayor Durano said the political feud between him and his siblings has already affected the delivery of basic services in the city.
Durano said yesterday the city council slashed the budget for medical and burial assistance aside from  gasoline allowances.
He also said city hall employees have not been paid their salaries for three months now.
Durano said he was open to reconcile with his brother Vice Mayor  Ramon “Nito” Durano III and the City Council.
“If they are sincere, they can always visit my office so we can talk,” the mayor said.
Last week, Vice Mayor Nito, who is leading a singature campaign for a recall petition,  revealed they have almost reached their target of   15,000 signatures to initiate the ouster of Mayor Durano.
The siblings have been at odds for several years and filed complaints against each other before the Visayas Ombudsman’s Office.
Mayor Durano said he would gladly face the protest.
“No matter who is my opponent, I’m not afraid, even if they gather those signatures.  In the history of Danao, I have never been beaten,” he said in Cebuano.
Last week, the mayor filed a complaint for usurpation of official functions against the vice mayor with the Danao city prosecutor’s office. He filed 111 counts for issuing disbursement vouchers and another 91 counts for  several checks.