Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Rolando Uy has ordered a review of the contract between the Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD) and the bulk water supplier Cagayan de Oro Bulk Water Inc. (COBI) following water service interruption for more than two days in some parts of the city. 

According to the Cagayan de Oro City Information Office, Uy has ordered the creation of a technical working group that will review the contract between COWD and COBI.

At least 26 barangays experienced water service interruption since early Saturday, March 2, 2024, due to valve relocation works conducted by COBI. The relocation and other repair works were completed at 2:30 a.m. on Monday, March 4, based on COWD's advisory.

The city government and other agencies delivered water to the communities affected to ease the problem.

Uy said aside from the delayed repairs, residents were also infuriated about not being told of the extent of the problem.

“We were told about the repairs and we’re used to expect that it was a minor problem…Hopefully, we would understand the situation and be thankful they finished their repairs. What happened was unavoidable and they didn’t expect that the problem was worse than they expected. Still, they worked overtime to repair the leaks despite the public anger and animosity over the delays in restoring water service,” Uy was quoted as saying in the vernacular during the flag raising ceremony.

Uy also said the water service interruption was not the city government’s fault ‘as they are limited in appointing the COWD’s Board of Directors.’

The COWD is a government owned and controlled corporation under the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA).

The city’s chief executive also said that he received a copy of the latest letter of COBI to COWD, reminding the latter of its collectibles worth over P400 million.