LOAY Mayor Atty. Hilario “Lahar” Ayuban appeared to be firm in defending the water rights of Loay water system and the Loay-Loboc Joint Water Systems from being eased out of its rights in fetching water at Loctob spring, Gotozon, Loboc town.
“Makalaum kamo nga buhaton nato kutob sa mahimo nga mapanalipdan ang interest sa katawhang Loaynon sa tubig gikan sa Loctob, Loboc.” Mayor Ayuban assured Loay to defend Loay interest and its water rights. Several barangays of Loay have been served by the spring for almost 20 years, Ayuban said.
This came following Richli Corp filed in 2021 before the National Water Regulatory Board (NWRB) for the cancellation of water rights of Loay waterworks system, Loboc waterworks system and Loay-Loboc joint waterworks system. The aforesaid waterworks systems are sourcing out water from Loctob Spring, a source of Richli’s bulk water supply.
Richli said that the cancellation of Loay water rights at Loctob Spring was prompted due to Loay’s failure to settle its payment to Digal’s family who owns the lot where Loay rented.
This prompted the mayor, together with Loboc Mayor Raymund Jala, to rush to Manila at the NWRB office in Diliman, Quezon City to secure records about the petition.
Richli Corp. is the petitioner against Loay Waterworks system, Loboc Waterworks system and Loay-Loboc Joint Waterworks System, respondents, in Water Rights Cancellation Case No. 2021-130, WP No. 15632, Water Use Conflict at the NWRB.
NWRB has issued an Order, dated February 13, 2025 signed by Atty. Ruby Anne Giselle C. Diaz, Head, Litigation Adjudication Section.
NWRB issued an order last July 18, 2023 for the respondents to file an answer. But the respondents did not file their answer. Loay owed Digal’s family P0.25 centavos/cubic meter of water extracted for years already, Richli alleged.
NWRB pointed out that the respondents (Loay and Loboc) “deemed to have waived its rights to file answer and present evidence to support their defense.”
The water agency, also, ordered Richli Corp to file position paper within 30 days, after which and upon receipt of the position paper, NWRB “shall deem the instant case submitted for resolution.”
To prevent the Loay water rights cancellation, Richli challenged Loay to come up and sign an agreement to present to NWRB. Richli also urged Loay to pay Loboc P3/cu.m. so the latter will not cut off the Loay connection. The payment is based on Municipal Ordinance enacted by Loboc, imposing P3/cu.m, signed by Mayor Jala. (rvo)
