The local government of Cagayan de Oro has advised residents to store water should the bulk water supplier Cagayan de Oro Bulk Water Inc. (COBI) pushes through with its plan to stop its service to the Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD) on Friday, April 12, 2024.

In a video message posted on the Cagayan de Oro City Information Office page, COWD General Manager, Engineer Antonio Young, said the advisory was issued in case the COBI cuts the water supply before midnight of April 12, 2024, the deadline set by COBI for COWD to settle its supposed unpaid balance amounting to P426 million.

“[In case of disconnection] it would take [a maximum of] one day to restore water service,” Young was quoted as saying.

Several barangays in the first and second districts will be affected by the impending water interruption. These barangays include Carmen, Patag, Kauswagan, Bayabas, Bonbon, Bulua, a portion of Macasandig, Camaman, Lapasan, and a portion of Gusa.

“We issued this advisory in case negotiations between COWD and COBI break down,” Young added.

Officials of COWD and COBI are set to meet on Friday, April 12, 2024, to discuss the issue about COWD’s financial obligations.

As part of the measures, the city’s legislative body has passed a resolution, with no objection, granting the application of Rio Verde Consortium, Inc. as water supplier to the 80 barangays in the city.

The said resolution will be used by Rio Verde Consortium, Inc. as part of the legal requirements for the National Water Resources Board so it can begin its service to the COWD.

“Mao kana ato silang gitagaan (Rio Verde) kay ang gusto sa atong Mayor nga daghan ang mga water supplier nga musuplay og tubig sa atong katawhan para dili kita ma-bully kay usa lamang ang supplier,” City Councilor Edgar Cabanlas, co-chairman of the Task Force Water Supply and Distribution, said.

“Ilang ikapasalig didto sa katawhan, sa Mayor sa Cagayan de Oro nga kung muingon ang COBI nga putlan muundang na sila sa pag-suplay og tubig sa water district, Rio Verde will directly supply to water district the same volume of water required,” Cabanlas added.