The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD 11) has no jurisdiction over the water provider issue in Deca Homes in Mintal, Calinan, Davao City.
(DHSUD 11) OIC regional director lawyer Miguel Palma Gil said that DHSUD, which replaced the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB), only regulates the selling of housing units of developers but has no authority over water provision to the homeowners.
“We only regulate the selling. Actually yung sa water wala kaming authority diyan. But I called Deca to call BP Waterworks. Wala kasi akong jurisdiction na magpatawag directly kay BP Waterworks, it is the Local water Utilities Administration (LWUA) that has the jurisdiction,” Palma Gil said.
LWUA is a government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) with a specialized lending function mandated by law to promote and oversee the development of water supply systems in provincial cities and municipalities outside of Metro Manila.
“It is LWUA that has a hand on the water issues. But a developer cannot apply a permit na magpapaoperate kung hindi i-grant. The job of the developer is to deliver kung ano yung ina-approve sa kanyang development permit sa LGU when applying for a subdivision project. Wala dapat interest si developer directly sa pagprovide ng water. That is why there should be a separate entity created to provide water if and when hindi makapagprovide ng water is DCWD. But if capable na si DCWD to provide water automatic interconnection dapat yan,” he added.
Palma Gil said he is yet to set for a meeting with officials of DCWD to discuss the issue.
“I have yet to get a copy of the complaint sa water issue in Deca Tacunan in Mintal. Nagpa-schedule na ako na magpatawag with DCWD. We are still arranging the schedule,” he added.
DCWD has expressed willingness to act as water provider for the indignant homeowners of Deca Homes in Davao City.
Lawyer Bernard Delima, spokesperson of DCWD, said DCWD will not interfere in the operation of BP Waterworks, yet, he said DCWD is willing to provide water to Deca Homes homeowners as long as the developer will turn-over the facility at no cost. Delima explained that before one can enter as water provider, the facility must be endorsed first by the current water provider. He also clarified that water supply provision in Davao City is open to all water providers and not exclusive by DCWD.
Meanwhile, Palma Gil announced that the water issue in Deca Homes Tigatto in Buhangin is already settled. He said unpaid bills of homeowners some amounting to P10,000 and P20,000 was waved back to zero
“What is good right now is lahat ng utang ng mga homeowners ay back to zero. Kasi may mga arrears ang mga homeowners sa Tigatto. Upon signing it erased all arrears. Yung may mga upaid water bills some amounting to P10,000 and P20,000 even more waved lahat yun a back to zero lahat yun,” he said.
