The Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD) has publicly assured residents that their water supply remains stable and uninterrupted. This assurance comes despite ongoing administrative challenges, including a significant investigation by the Office of the Ombudsman and critical vacancies on its Board of Directors that have left it without a legal quorum.
Formal Response to Ombudsman Probe Filed
In an official statement dated Friday, December 5, 2025, the utility confirmed that General Manager Edgar Donoso and the Executive Committee have submitted a comprehensive joint affidavit to the Ombudsman. This action was in direct response to a detailed complaint from a self-identified "Concerned Employee of MCWD," which alleged corruption, favoritism, and mismanagement among top officials.
The affidavit was filed following the Ombudsman's directive, which required the officials to submit their sworn counter-affidavits within a 10-day period. MCWD stated that the matters raised have now been formally addressed in the proper venue and expressed its commitment to fully cooperate with the investigation while respecting the integrity of the process.
Board of Directors in a State of Limbo
Simultaneously, MCWD is grappling with a leadership vacuum. The agency is currently operating without a fully functional Board of Directors. This crisis stems from several key issues:
- The resignation of Civic Sector director Danilo Ortiz.
- The appointment of Professional Sector representative John Rey Saavedra being invalidated by the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) due to improper documentation.
- Prolonged inactivity from the Education Sector representative.
LWUA has declared that two seats must be refilled, leaving the board with only two active members. This is short of the three members required for a quorum under Presidential Decree 198. Despite this legal impediment, the remaining members reportedly convened at least four board meetings in November.
Path Forward and Public Assurance
Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival has intervened, directing MCWD to immediately submit a consolidated list of nominees from civic groups. This list was originally due on November 30, and its submission is the first step in the mandated process to restore a complete and functioning board.
Throughout these dual challenges of investigation and governance, MCWD's core message to the public is one of stability. The utility's statement emphasized that water service delivery to Metro Cebu residents remains unaffected. It affirmed that the board vacancies are being addressed in accordance with the law, even as it navigates the typical complexities of operating a major public utility.
