The Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) has taken over the management of the Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD) on Friday, May 17, 2024.

This after the LWUA’s Board of Trustees approved the full takeover a day after President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. ordered the agency to solve the conflict between COWD and bulk water supplier Cagayan de Oro Bulk Water Inc. (COBI).

During his visit on Thursday, May 16, 2024, Marcos assured residents of Cagayan de Oro that water supply in the city will go back to normal.

With the takeover, COWD’s general manager and board of directors were replaced by the interim board members and interim general manager appointed by the LWUA administrator.

Among the measures LWUA will undertake during the full takeover include determining short-term and long-term solutions in the water supply situation, including the implementation of a viable non-revenue water (NRW) program.

It shall also operate the facilities, systems, or properties of COWD in an efficient manner consistent with sound legal, administrative, and financial practices.

LWUA shall also address any irregularity and problem in the accounts of COWD and its obligation to LWUA, to suppliers and consumers, and implement all other measures that will address all violations and all the causes of default.

“The people of Cagayan de Oro can be assured that LWUA will do its mandate as regulator of all water districts in making sure that all affairs of COWD are in order,” LWUA said.

Meanwhile, the temporary restraining order (TRO), preventing the Metropac Water Investments Corporation (MWC), COBI, and Rio Verde Water Consortium Inc. from disconnecting water supply to COWD has been extended.

The Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 17 on Friday issued an order extending the TRO until June 3, 2024.