The Board of Directors of the Bacolod City Water District declared the term of BACIWA General Manager Mona Dia G. Jardin over, citing “loss of confidence” in her leadership, in a resolution approved on Friday, August 22.
The board, in its resolution “declaring the expiration of the term of office” of Jardin, also appointed Engr. Michael M. Soliva as the new acting general manager and concurrent Environment Water Resource Sewerage and Sanitation Management Division Head, effective Friday.
The decision was approved by board chairperson Sonya M. Verdeflor, vice chairperson Edgardo S. Uychiat, and corporate secretary Clarissa L. Araneta. Board member Lorendo K. Dilag voted against the move, while Rich Ann P. Zayco abstained.
“The term of the general manager depends upon the trust and confidence of the board of directors who appointed her, it ends when that trust and confidence is no longer there,” Verdeflor said.
DIGICAST NEGROS could not reach Jardin for comment.
The resolution declaring loss of confidence said Jardin was a signatory to the highly controversial Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) between BACIWA and PrimeWater Infrastructure Corporation (PWIC).
It said Jardin had not imposed appropriate sanctions and/or collected penalties from PWIC despite deficiencies, violations, and non-compliances of their obligations as provided for in the JVA to the detriment of BACIWA.
BACIWA employees whose positions were declared redundant after the JVA with PWIC were not paid back wages due to them for the past five years, resulting in various lawsuits filed against BACIWA, the resolution said.
The resolution also cited Jardin’s handling of the purchase of a 2-hectare property for a BACIWA Eco-Park from the Sorbito family located in Brgy. Alangilan, Bacolod City for its loss of confidence.
Amlig Tubig, an alliance of concerned water consumers, in a statement on its Facebook page thanked the Baciwa board of directors for removing the “protector” of PrimeWater.
“Remove her and give the people justice,” it said.*