We would like to correct two inaccuracies in Neal H. Cruz’s Feb. 4 column, “Avarice delaying Butuan City water project.”
The article referred to our office, the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda), most likely referring to Neda Regional Office Caraga (because Butuan is in Caraga), in two instances:
- It (the proposal of the Taguibo Aquatech Solutions Corp.) got a favorable legal opinion from the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC), and passed all the requirements of the National Economic and Development Administration (sic); and
- They (Butuan City officials) have been obstructing the implementation of the project every step of the way, like asking for more and more documents, in spite of the fact that Neda (sic) and the OGCC had approved the project.
On the first statement, we would like to clarify: It is possible that the proposal passed the requirements of the Neda-issued joint venture guidelines, but Neda did not directly evaluate and approve the proposal. And it is wrong to say that the proposal passed Neda requirements, which gives the impression that it was Neda that evaluated the proposal and determined its soundness.
On the second statement, we would like to correct that Neda did not have a hand in the approval of the project of Taguibo Aquatech Solutions Corp. relative to bulk water supply. Based on the joint venture guidelines, it is the head of the government entity involved in the joint venture, which in this case is the Butuan City Water District, that has the authority to approve joint venture agreements.
—MYLAH FAYE AURORA B. CARIÑO,
Ceso IV, regional director,
National Economic and
Development Authority