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Incredible though it may seem, it's been more than 20 years since the Father of Bohol Tourism Anos Fonacier set up his first cottages of the Bohol Beach Club and water is still scarce for Panglao resorts.

Trucks still ply to deliver water from the capital to this day while our development planners want to open an ambitious P3.2-billion Panglao Airport which could lure blue-chip business names like the Shangrila, the Marriot chain, the Ayalas, Lucio Tan and a host of silently prospecting big-time investors to Panglao. What kind of water system shall we offer them?

A super-prime island resort without adequate potable water? It is idiocy of the first order - because frankly "Back to Basics" is the ABC of business. One can live three weeks without food but only three days without potable water. What about a resort-island like Panglao?

The cynics are starting to opine that maybe a water system in Panglao does not offer the same juicy contract commissions as perhaps a multi-billion airport and land acquisition. Can you really blame people from being cynical?

Last Monday, that ray of light came when finally, the officialdom of Panglao led by Mayor Benedicto Alcala agreed in principle to the entry of a Cebu-based company which holds the reputation of providing water in several known establishments in the country including water-intensive golf courses.

This breakthrough in the negotiation for a supplier to bring in potable water to the resort island and at the same time address the waste water treatment concern came only after the Panglao officials came to the discussion table after they were invited by the Bohol Prime Movers Council chaired by Hans Schoof. Later in the day, an adhoc committee chaired by the Chronicle associate editor presided over the meeting between the Panglao officials and the water company. The council echoed the call for the Panglao LGU to open up their ears and listen to what has to be done in order to bring in water.

That it should take a private sector initiative to iron out a basic utility concern of the public sector is already a sad commentary of how misdirected our priorities have been through these years. But be that as it may. Better late than sorry.

The council heard that politics (as usual) was the stumbling block why the new leadership did not welcome the Cebu-based company when it was introduced by then Mayor Doloreich Dumaluan. That is how damaging politics is. No right thing can ever come if the ugly partisan politics will prevail. At least, now that the executive and legislative branches of the Panglao LGU belong to one political wing, we expect things to start moving. If it still won't, then let's put the blame solely on the Alcala administration.

Another hard lesson learned from this political intramurals is that the water supply from Bohol Water Utilities, Inc. (BWUI) which has been offered way back five years or so was ignored by the previous administration. The water supply had to dwindle to its lowest level for people to take notice. It has been years that BWUI was ready to supply water to Panglao resorts but could not do so due to the acrimonious political squabble during the previous administration. Imagine that the water-pipes were already at the boundary of Panglao and Dauis towns for some time now. Lack of political will caused the water valve for Panglao to remain close until this precarious time (now) when the last drops are almost exhausted.

We cannot but note that indeed the entry of this Mactan-based company is providentially timely since BWUI would still be working out for a new water source outside its existing source in Corella town.

Still on the water problem, we hope Tagbilaran Mayor Dan Lim will also seriously execute his promise to construct a waste water treatment facility in order to clean the outflow of the new drainage system before waste will be dropped into the clear blue seas off Tagbilaran port. We are all eagerly waiting for Mayor Lim's timetable on this water treatment facility. While we believe he will do this, the residents are awaiting on how fast he wants this project done. It is basic that every project needs a timetable.

It would be nice if it would have a commencement and completion target dates like the Agora rehab work which, the mayor said, is targeted for completion specifically by April next year.

TRANSPARENCY AND POLITICAL FRIENDSHIP

The public was surprised to hear Mayor Dan Lim lambast his bosom friend Atty. Victor de la Serna yesterday over the airlanes. We know how these two personalities had moved in the same wave length on certain issues. Both vocal and hard-hitting - they mince no words when they want to stress their points.

Only recently, they were on the same boat launching mountains of mud against Rep. Edgar Chatto, who admittedly was bloodied but politically survived the devastating assault.

While the color of their language may just have entertained people, let's admit that the substantive part raised the level of debate to higher grounds.

Yesterday, however, during the weekly commentary radio program of the mayor over sister radio station DYRD, Mayor Lim sounded defensive against insinuations made by his friend (then?) that funds are being misused at the City Hall. Even without categorical words, Mayor Lim implied that the visit of De la Serna to City Hall to request for a "summary of budget and expenditure" betrayed expectations of their friendship. On the surface, it would appear odd actually as Atty. de la Serna is one of the legal counsels of the mayor.

But the fighting Mayor Lim forewarned his friend (then?) that he will strike back with ballistic missiles on whatever howitzer attacks de la Serna might wage against him. As we know him, Mayor Lim is not the type to be cowed by the bombastic style of a De la Serna. "No way, Jose", as they say.

But for his part, De la Serna expressed surprise why Lim had to over-react on his request for the summary of budget and expenditure when this is a public document which every resident is entitled to know. If he has nothing to hide, so, why then make a fuss out of his request which he dutifully coursed through the office of the city budget officer.

-- The Bohol Chronicle

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