An official of the Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD) said COWD will take legal action should the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) takes over the management of the water district.

Dr. Gerry Caño, member of the board of directors of COWD, said LWUA has not taken over the management of COWD yet and the operations remain normal, as of Tuesday, May 21, 2024.

“No takeover yet. The GM still reports and the BOD will have their regular meeting today,” Caño said.

In a statement, LWUA said its Board of Trustees has approved the full takeover of COWD during its meeting on Friday, May 17, 2024, a day after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the agency to explore the possibility of the takeover and solve the conflict between COWD and bulk water supplier Cagayan de Oro Bulk Water Inc. (COBI).

However, Caño said there has been no communication from LWUA regarding the takeover.

Caño added that COWD will have to question the legal basis of the takeover.

“The law provides the basis for the takeover. Any action not provided for by law is invalid and illegal,” Caño said.