Entrepreneurial Farmer

Ambrosio R. Villorente

The Arrogance of Mr. Albar

Mr. Renato Albar, General Manager of the Metro Kalibo Water District (MKWD) displayed his style of arrogance last week unworthy of a public official to do and to emulate. He demonstrated his arrogance, Albar style, before the members of the Sangguniang Bayan of Kalibo during its regular session presided by Vice Mayor Nilda B. Tambong. The session was held in the afternoon, Thursday, July 6 in SB Session Hall, Kalibo, Aklan.
Mr. Albar attended that regular session in response to the request of SB Kalibo to inform its members regarding the continuing water rate increases obtaining in MKWD.
In the course of his explanation, Mr. Albar informed the presiding officer and the honorable members of the SB Kalibo, that those questions are matters of "political harassment".
This imputation is not a teaser. The substance, the manner of delivery and the body language of Mr. Albar of his allegation of "political harassment" is a first degree arrogance of a public official.
Where do people go in case of a question or complaint regarding a public utility like the MKWD which bulldozed its way, proceeded to its destination and disregarded the request of the water consumers to stop the water rate increase? MKWD has been raking millions of pesos net profit annually. Why then increase the water rates and squeeze some hard earned money of the depressed consumers via the water rate increase?
Mr. Albar does not feel the pain of water consumers because even his allowance from MKWD reach several hundred thousand pesos annually. He dines his visitors in high class eateries and gifted them with lechon, prawns and crabs among others. Mr. Albar must implant in his brain that politicians are there to articulate the problems, and aspirations of their constituents.
Mr. Albar, before he finished his briefing, invited any member of the SB Kalibo to visit his office for any information they wish to know. This is another arrogance, Albar style.
If Mr. Albar is sincere in his desire to promote mutual understanding between the MKWD and the water concessionaires, he must readily release periodic accomplishment report to the public. He can do it thru the SB members, the Municipal Mayor, Vice Mayor of the towns where MKWD operates. He can release the information via the Aklan media. But he did not.
But it is lamentable, Mr. Albar is not only adamant but impedes the release of information to the public. A very good example where he impeded the release of information is the P25 million questionable pipes and other materials purchases. He does not even want to release to the public the annual financial report which is of public concern.
According to Mr. Albar, the MKWD expansion project justifies the rate increase. Where are the expansion projects? Are these within the jurisdiction of MKWD? If not, Mr. Albar might wish to review the provisions of PD 198, the Provincial Water Utilities Act of 1973, as amended under Chapter VII – Powers of Districts. If Mr. Albar justified the rate increase because of project expansion, then it is not possible because Section 30 (b) will only be made if it "will not adversely affect or impair the fiscal position and operations" of MKWD. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com