Dalaguete mayor asks water facility chief to step down

Local

THE general manager of the water facility in Dalaguete town, southern Cebu has been asked to step down.

No less than the town mayor, Nelin Tambis, urged Dalaguete Water District (DWD) general manager Danilo Sombilon to resign amid the water woes that the municipality is facing.

During a previous public hearing on the town's water situation, Sombilon announced his intention to step down from office following various management issues.

Tambis said the town, which is facing a worsening water crisis, marked by persistent service interruptions and declining public confidence, needs decisive leadership and sound technical management to provide effective solutions to the water problem.

"Given the present circumstances, we believe that this is the appropriate time to step aside and allow a new generation of technically qualified professionals to lead the Dalaguete Water District," Tambis said.

According to the mayor, there are three new applicants for Sombilon's position who are registered civil engineers and master plumbers, whose professions and expertise are aligned with the operational and engineering requirements for a water district manager.

The mayor said stepping aside would honor Sombilon's public commitment and prioritize the welfare of the people of Dalaguete by allowing more capable leadership to address the water district's longstanding challenges.

MyTV Cebu is still trying to reach Sombilon's side as of press time.

Two members of the Board of Directors of the DWD, Ildebrando Almagro, chairman of the board, and Florencio Cejudo, a board member, tendered their resignations, citing Sombilon's failure to provide long-term solutions to the water shortage in Dalaguete.

Almagro and Cejudo also complained of weak board governance.

“Critical concerns involving water supply security, water production inefficiencies, reducing the present very high Non-Revenue Water (NRW), rising energy costs, system sustainability, and other pressing operational issues have not been addressed with the urgency, initiative, and professionalism expected of management," Almagro said.

Almagro also criticized management's failure to prepare for the expected El Niño despite repeated warnings from the board. He also criticized some members of the board for failing to participate in deliberations that are essential to providing effective governance of the DWD.

In a statement, Tambis said the water situation requires urgency and accountability, urging the members of the DWD Board to take concrete actions to address the longstanding issues regarding water service in Dalaguete.

"Ang krisis sa tubig dili na mahimong tubagon pinaagi sa mga pasangil, paglangay-langay o pagbalhin-balhin sa

responsibilidad," Tambis said.

She assured consumers that the local government unit is coordinating with all stakeholders involved to resolve the issue.(MyTVCebu)