‘Non-existent with no beneficiaries’: Paracelis folk assail P12 M water project

By Gina Dizon

PARACELIS, Mountain Province – Concerned folk here sent a letter to Nestor Mantaring, Director of the National Bureau of Investigation to start an investigation on a P12 million water project, saying is “non-existent and there are no beneficiaries."

The letter assailed the project saying there are ‘no reservoir water tanks and no pipes laid out,’

The P12 million water “project” of the Paracelis Water District headed by general manager Candido Acapen was approved by the Quezon City-based Local Water Utilities Administration on Feb. 2, 2010.

The initial amount of P4.6 million from Non-LWUA Initiated Funds (NLIF) was released to the PWD less monthly interest of P29,000 and service charges on April 27, 2010.

Outgoing Paracelis Mayor Pedro Almeda also reportedly released LGU counterpart of P500,000.00 from the municipal government.

The second tranche of P6 million is reportedly due to be released the coming months.

The LWUA approved the P12 million loan on a 50-50 percent loan-grant arrangement, but the grant could go up to a maximum of 90 percent in meritorious cases.

The proper loan-grant composition shall be determined by LWUA during the loan evaluation.

The loan is amortized from a minimum of 10 years and to a maximum of 40 years, and repayment based on the district’s capability to pay; and with the condition that water charges shall not exceed 5 percent of the average income of the income households.

The PWD shall be responsible in constructing the project.

The District shall also obtain water permits from the National Water Resources Board, environmental clearances from Department of Environment and Natural Resources and endorsement and permit from the Local Government Unit.