2006 Res No.143

EXCERPTS FROM THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF THE SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD OF OLONGAPO, HELD ON
JULY 19, 2006 AT THE CITY HALL.

PRESENT:

Hon. Rolen C. Paulino - - - - - - - - - - - - - - City Vice Mayor & Presiding Officer
Hon. Noel Y. Atienza- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - City Councilor
Hon. Cynthia G. Cajudo - - - - - - - - - - - - - “ “
Hon. John Carlos G. delos Reyes - - - - - - “ “
Hon. Marey Beth D. Marzan- - - - - - - - - - - “ “
Hon. Angelina B. Andrada - - - - - - - - - - - - “ “
Hon. Brian Patrick H. Gordon - - - - - - - - - - “ “
Hon. Anselmo A. Aquino - - - - - - - - - - - - - “ “
Hon. Edwin J. Piano- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - “ “
Hon. Carlito A. Baloy- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - President, Liga ng mga Barangay
Hon. Robine Rose C. Buenafe - - - - - - - - - - SK Federation President

ABSENT:

Hon. Bella P. Asuncion - - - - - - - - - - - - - - City Councilor (On Vacation Leave)
Hon. Gina G. Perez - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - “ “ (On Official Business)

RESOLUTION NO. 143
(Series of 2006)

A RESOLUTION STRONGLY OPPOSING RESOLUTION NO. 2006-07-100 OF SUBIC BAY WATER REGULATORY BOARD ENTITLED “A RESOLUTION RULING ON THE PETITION OF SUBICWATER FOR WATER
SUPPLY TARIFF ADJUSTMENT AND REVIEW”

WHEREAS, on September 24, 2003, the Sanguniang Panglungsod, Olongapo City passed Resolution No.169 Series of 2003 opposing the proposed water rate increase of the Subic Water and Sewerage Company, Incorporated and strongly urging its management to heed the public outcry against its implementation;

WHEREAS, on September 16, 2005, this august body passed another Resolution No. 111, Series of 2005 reiterating the city’s stand on the water tariff increase by Subic Water and Sewerage Company Incorporated (Resolution No. 169, Series of 2003) and endorsing the petition of the people of Olongapo in line with the said increase to the Subic Bay Water Regulatory Board (SBWRB) and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) for their appropriate and immediate action;

WHEREAS, despite the passage of the foregoing resolutions of the Sanguniang Panglungsod of Olongapo City which are in the nature of a continuing objections to any water tariff adjustment, the Subic Water and Sewerage Company, Incorporated formally filed a petition for water tariff review and adjustment on February 10, 2006;

WHEREAS, in the separate public hearings conducted in the City of Olongapo on April 11 and 18, 2006 for the purpose, the people of Olongapo have offered a strong opposition for the approval of the proposed water tariff increase considering Subic Water
and Sewerage Company, Incorporated failed to present concrete and solid grounds which will warrant the adjustment on the prevailing water tariff rates:
Con’t. of Resolution No. 143, Series of 2006.

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WHEREAS, while it is true as stated in the firth clause of the SBWRB Resolution that “The consumers were given the opportunity to submit their written comments or opposition to the said Petition” such written comments and opposition were disregarded, proof of which are the numerous letters from consumer groups which remain unanswered;

WHEREAS, Subicwater, based on its draft audit report prepared by Sycip Gorres and Velayo accounting firm, dated May 3, 2006, Subicwater generated a net profit of One Hundred Twenty Five Million Eight Hundred Thirty Two Thousand Four Hundred Thirty Seven Pesos (PhP125,832,437.00);

WHEREAS, despite the strong resistance made by the people of Olongapo during the public hearings and formal comment and opposition thereto, the Subic Bay Water Regulatory Board issued the following pronouncement to wit:


“WHEREAS, on the basis of the findings and conclusion as contained in the detailed report, the Executive Regulators recommended the following percentages of water supply rate adjustment in the Freeport and City.

YEAR
% OF ADJUSTMENT
10
9%
11
0%
12
7%


WHEREAS, the 3-year period water rate increase approved by SBWRB becomes confusing vis-a’-vis the denial by SBWRB of Subicwater’s petition last year, thereby highlighting the questionable basis to arrive at a computation of 9%, 0, 7% yearly increase;

WHEREAS, the SBWRB failed to consider that any further water tariff adjustments shall add to the economic woes of the people of Olongapo brought about by high cost of living, increase in prices of our basic commodities caused by the increase of petroleum products in the world market, our present political instability due to squabble in the government, all of these miseries will be carried by our people:

WHEREAS, the approval of the petition of the Subic Water and Sewerage Company, Incorporated water tariff adjustment is not only untimely but in disregard of the public outcry against its implementation:

NOW, THEREFORE, on joint motion of Councilors Noel Yabut Atienza and John Carlos G. delos Reyes, with the unanimous accord of the Members of the Sanguniang Panglungsod present:



Con’t. of Resolution No. 143, Series of 2006.

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RESOLVED AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, by the Sanguniang Panglungsod in session assembled to strongly oppose as it hereby strongly opposes Resolution No. 2006-07-100 of Subic Bay Water Regulatory Board entitled “A Resolution ruling on the petition of Subic Water for water supply tariff adjustment and review.”

RESOLVED FURTHER, AS IT IS HEREBY FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of Resolution with Nos. 169 Series of 2003 and 111, Series of 2005 be made as integral parts of the foregoing resolution:

Let copies of the Resolution be furnished the Subic Bay Water Regulatory Board, Subic Water and Sewerage Company, Incorporated and SBMA Board of Directors for their information and record.

APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY, July 19, 2006.



ROLEN C. PAULINO
City Vice Mayor & Presiding Officer


NOEL Y. ATIENZA CYNTHIA G. CAJUDO
City Councilor City Councilor


JOHN CARLOS G. DELOS REYES BELLA P. ASUNCION
City Councilor City Councilor
(On Vacation Leave)


MAREY BETH D. MARZAN ANGELINA B. ANDRADA
City Councilor City Councilor

BRIAN PATRICK H. GORDON ANSELMO A. AQUINO
City Councilor City Councilor


EDWIN J. PIANO GINA G. PEREZ
City Councilor City Councilor
(On Official Business)


CARLITO A. BALOY ROBINE ROSE C. BUENAFE
President, Liga ng mga Barangay SK Federation President








Con’t. of Resolution No. 143, Series of 2006.

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ATTEST:


ELFLIDA S. SALMON
Council Secretary


APPROVED BY HIS HONOR, THE CITY MAYOR ON______________________.



JAMES GORDON, JR.
City Mayor
ATTEST:


DELFIN A. JUICO, JR.
Secretary to the City Mayor