2014 R - 149 - STRONGLY OPPOSING THE SUBIC BAY METROPOLITAN AUTHORITY (SBMA) RESOLUTION NO. 14-09-5172 ENTITLED: “APPROVING THE SUBIC BAY WATER REGULATORY BOARD (SBWRB) RESOLUTION NO. 2014-08-194” AND HEREBY REITERATING OLONGAPO CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 87 SERIES OF 2014

EXCERPTS FROM THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF THE SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD OF OLONGAPO, 

HELD ON OCTOBER 08, 2014 

AT THE CITY HALL.

PRESENT:

Hon. Rodel S. Cerezo -  -City Vice-Mayor & Presiding Officer
Hon. Eduardo J. Piano-   City Councilor
Hon. Eduardo G. Guerrero- - “     “
Hon. Benjamin G. Cajudo II-   “     “
Hon. Elena C. Dabu- “     “
Hon. Noel Y. Atienza-  “     “      
Hon. Alreuela M. Bundang-Ortiz -   “     “
Hon. Edna A. Elane- -  “     “
Hon. Emerito Linus D. Bacay- -  “     “

ABSENT:

Hon. Eyrma Yvette D. Marzan-Estrella- City Councilor
Hon. Aquilino Y. Cortez, Jr.-    “    “
Hon. Randy C. Sionzon-- President, Liga ng mga Barangay (On Official Business)
Hon. Egmidio M. Gonzales, Jr.- - Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (On Official Business)

RESOLUTION NO. 149

(Series of 2014)

A RESOLUTION STRONGLY OPPOSING THE SUBIC BAY METROPOLITAN AUTHORITY (SBMA) RESOLUTION NO. 14-09-5172 ENTITLED: “APPROVING THE SUBIC BAY WATER REGULATORY BOARD (SBWRB) RESOLUTION NO. 2014-08-194” AND HEREBY REITERATING OLONGAPO CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 87 SERIES OF 2014

WHEREAS, Subicwater and Sewerage Co. Inc.  is the exclusive water service provider in Olongapo City and Subic Bay Freeport Zone;

WHEREAS, Subicwater and Sewerage Co. Inc. is applying for a 6.58% tariff rate increase to cover their CAPEX requirements;

WHEREAS, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Resolution No. 14-09-5172 approved the Subic Bay Water Regulatory Board (SBWRB) Resolution No. 2014-08-194;

WHEREAS, under the amended franchise agreement, Subicwater shall cover the maintenance and operation of old and new facilities in efficient and safe manner at its own expense;

WHEREAS, Subicwater  shall bear the expense of improving and renovating its existing facilities. That the people of Olongapo considers this proposed tariff increase as unfair and uncalled for – shifting the burden on the consuming public as it is already well-known that Subicwater is an income-generating company and enjoys steady profits;

WHEREAS, with steady price increase of basic commodities and non-declaration of wage increase by the national government, an additional 6.58% water rate increase will surely add burden to our people and will deprive them of their resources/hard-earned income to sustain food, education, health, house-rental requirements, and other day-to-day needs;

WHEREAS, the local government unit is mandated to look into the welfare of its people and the proposed tariff increase will impoverish them even more denying access to clean, potable water;;

NOW, THEREFORE,  with the unanimous accord of the Members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod present;

RESOLVED, AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, by the Sangguniang Panlungsod in session assembled to oppose, as it hereby opposes the proposed 6.58% water tariff increase of Subicwater and Sewerage Company, Incorporated and strongly urging Subic Bay Water Regulatory Board (SBWRB) and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) to heed the public outcry against its implementation

Let copies of this resolution be furnished to the Subic Bay Water Regulatory Board (SBWRB), Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), and Subic Water and Sewerage Co. Inc., for their information, guidance, and record.

APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY, October 08, 2014.