IT’S said that ‘all is well that ends well’ as far as water supply source is concerned for Loay town and Richli Water Corp to provide access.
Both parties signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Tuesday (April 22) at the municipal hall of Loay town, dealing with settling the obligation of Loay to the corporation and dealing the bulk water supply from Loctob spring, Loboc town.
Loay Mayor Atty. Hilario “Lahar” Ayuban in his short speech after the MOA signing said that the town settled its obligation in the amount of P2.4 million, or about P36,000/month to Richly Corp for the last five years.
The new contract provides for Loay to pay for water supply in the amount of P50,000/month until the water is needed by the LGU.
“There is always a price for everything,” the mayor said, while assuring over 80% water consumers for continuous flow of water in their faucets.
Richli’s president Ralph Bacquial Lim agreed the point of the mayor as they have the same goal — to supply people with clean and potable water. He thanked Loay thru the mayor for the agreement they have just forged.
Ayuban said that most of the property where Loctob is located is owned by the corporation and is just proper to pay them, including the access.
Earlier, the mayor stood pat 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.
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 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, 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 Watrworks 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.
An order issued on July 18, 2023 by NWRB directed 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 its 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 be presented 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)
