Cebu City Mayor Appoints Dual Professional to Water District Board
Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival has exercised his authority to appoint a new member to the Board of Directors of the Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD). The appointee is lawyer and engineer Mariefel Resma Roble, who will represent the professional sector on the board.
Appointment Details and Legal Basis
According to documents obtained by SunStar Cebu, Roble's appointment took effect on January 12, 2026. Her term is set to run until December 31, 2030, unless she is removed earlier for just cause or chooses to resign from the position.
In his appointment letter dated January 12, 2026, Mayor Archival cited the failure of MCWD to initiate the nomination process for the professional sector representative within the period required under Presidential Decree (PD) 198, as amended. The mayor invoked Section 9 of PD 198, which grants the appointing authority the power to name a qualified representative when no nomination is submitted, to prevent any disruption in the delivery of essential public services.
Background of the Vacancy
This appointment follows the Local Water Utilities Administration's (LWUA) declaration on November 4, 2025, that the professional sector position on the MCWD board was vacant. LWUA had directed MCWD to commence the nomination process in accordance with PD 198 and its implementing guidelines.
However, Mayor Archival noted that MCWD failed to act despite a follow-up letter he sent on December 3, 2025. This inaction prompted the City Government to proceed with a direct appointment to ensure compliance with the law and maintain the continuity of water services for Cebu residents.
Roble's Qualifications and Nomination
Mariefel Resma Roble brings a unique combination of professional credentials to the position, holding licenses as both an engineer and a lawyer. She was nominated by the Institute of Electronics Engineers of the Philippines Inc. (IECEP), which submitted a board resolution endorsing her as the professional sector representative.
Documents attached to the appointment included certifications confirming several key points:
- Roble is an active member in good standing of IECEP
- She is not related to the appointing authority within the prohibited degree
- She is not a government employee
- She is not covered by the one-year election ban
Transition and Responsibilities
Roble replaces John Rey Saavedra, who previously held the professional sector seat on the MCWD board. As an MCWD director, Roble is entitled to all rights, privileges, and benefits accorded to a duly appointed member of the board.
Copies of the appointment were furnished to both MCWD and LWUA, ensuring proper notification to all relevant authorities involved in water district governance.
