By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD CITY — Mayor Ella Garcia Yulo of Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental has sought the intervention of Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson to address the ongoing water supply issues in the locality.
Yulo told Daily Guardian over the weekend that the town’s water supply has been disrupted by Elmo Nueva and his family.
Nueva, who claims ownership of the property, reportedly fenced off the area surrounding the water valve at the Tikoy Tikoy Spring and closed it, thus disrupting the town’s water supply.
Thirteen of the town’s fifteen barangays rely on water from the Tikoy Tikoy Spring.
Yulo said she brought the concern to the governor during his visit to the town on Thursday.
The mayor proposed a plan to the governor on how to address the issue.
In a statement, the municipal government said it has filed the necessary charges against Nueva.
The LGU apologized for the disruption of the water supply from the Tikoy Tikoy Spring, attributing it to the illegal and criminal actions of Elmo Nueva and his family.
The LGU holds a valid Water Permit No. 022660 issued by the National Water Resources Board (NWRB), authorizing it to appropriate the waters of Tikoy Tikoy Spring for its constituents.
The pump system is located on property donated to the LGU by Eleno Nuevo, now Danica Mae Nazareno, out of goodwill. The relevant documents are available for inspection at the municipal hall.
The LGU also stated that Elmo Nueva does not have a permit, and the land title in his possession covers a different area as surveyed by the provincial government.
Nueva’s claim contradicts the established rule that “all waters belong to the state,” the LGU added.
