By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
QUEZON CITY — Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) Administrator Engr. Leonor “Bobby” Cleofas was asked to resign from her post on Tuesday (June 25) due to alleged anomalous PHP12-billion Kaliwa Dam project.
The Kaliwa Dam project is expected to be operational in 2027 and will generate an additional 600 million liters of water per day (MLW/D) to supply the potable water needs of Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
The resignation call was made through a “Flash Mob Rally” held at the MWSS Gate in Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City led by United Filipino Consumers and Commuters (UFCC) National President Rodolfo B. Javellana, Jr.
Javellana said that they are calling for the resignation of Cleofas because of the alleged anomalous PHP12-billion Kaliwa Dam project.
He noted that the project is currently being undertaken by the MWSS and its administrator Leonor C. Cleofas,” of whom we are asking a preventive resignation to both clear her name and clear the reputation of your administration.”
“Ang Tubig ay Buhay. PBBM linisin ang MWSS. Kurapsyon sa MWSS galit na Pilipino. Nasaan ang pera ng water consumers na siningil para sa Laban at Kaliwa Dam projects. Gutom na Pilipino. Mahal ang Tubig. Ang Tubig ay buhay ngunit ang presyo ay nakakamatay,” the rallyists said.
“Kurapsyon sa Gobyerno. Gutom na Pilipino. Lunod na sa mataas na presyo ng tubig ang mga Water Consumers. Presyo Ibaba,” they added.
Javellana said that this morning they sent a letter to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. asking him to cleanse the MWSS with the resignation of Cleofas.
He added that they sought an update on their request for the conduct of a comprehensive investigation on the anomalies in relation to the Kaliwa Dam project.
The UFCC national president stressed that the alleged PHP12-billion Kaliwa Dam project was supposed to be completed in December this year.
However, Javellana said, the Kaliwa Dam has some permits and documents lacking with the China Construction Corporation, hence, the project will not be completed this year.
Javellana stressed that before the SONA (State-of-the-Nation Address) of President Marcos on the third Monday of July, Administrator Cleofas should now resign.
The UFCC national head expressed the hope that Administrator Bobby Cleofas will immediately resign from her post now.
The group was also urging the Commission on Audit (COA) to conduct an investigation into the Kaliwa Dam project.
Together with the WARM (Water Refund for All Movement), they altogether shouted “Administrator Cleaofas, resign, resign, resign.”
