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𝗦𝗜𝗚𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗪 𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛 𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗙𝗙 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗔𝗡 𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗗𝗘𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗧𝗘 𝗕𝗘𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗘 "𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗢𝗙 𝗠𝗔𝗝𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗖 𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗦" ​ 𝙀𝙙𝙞𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙡: 𝙄𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙖𝙣 𝙂𝙖𝙯𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙚 ​ Iligan City has long been known as the “City of Majestic Waterfalls.” With over twenty waterfalls cascading through its landscapes, it is a place where water flows freely—an abundant gift of nature. Yet, in a cruel twist of irony, Iliganons will now be paying sky-high water tariff rates. How did we get here? Who allowed this to happen? The answer lies in the signatures of incumbent city officials, especially the chairman of the committee on water, city councilor Samuel Huertas, that changed everything. ​ It all began with an abrupt deal—one that seemingly materialized overnight. The agreement with JE Hydro and Bio-energy Corporation, a third-party water distributor, was signed without proper deliberation, without exhaustive public discussions, and most importantly, without the consent of the people who would ultimately shoulder the burden. Before anyone could even ask the right questions, the deal was done, and the city will found itself at the mercy of soaring water tariffs. ​ For decades, Iligan City Waterworks System (ICWS) had been the backbone of local water distribution, providing Iliganons with water at an affordable rate of just 2 pesos per cubic meter. Now, under JE Hydro, the cost will skyrocket to 50 pesos per cubic meter. The difference is staggering, and the consequences are devastating. Families who once paid modest water bills will now struggle to keep up with the rising costs. Businesses that rely on water for their daily operations will be forced to adjust, often at the expense of their employees. THIS IS NOT PROGRESS; THIS IS A CRISIS. ​ Adding to the controversy, there was a reported case where a resident of Bukidnon, who happens to have the same water provider, JE Hydro, was billed only 12 pesos per cubic meter. This glaring discrepancy raises even more questions. Bukidnon, unlike Iligan City, does not have an abundance of water sources, yet its residents are charged significantly less. Iligan, known for its overflowing supply of water, with its numerous waterfalls and natural springs, is inexplicably being billed at exorbitant rates. How can a city with such rich water resources suffer from higher charges than a province with fewer water sources? ​ What makes this situation even worse is the shady public consultations. There was no opportunity for all Iliganons to voice their concerns, no venue for them to challenge the decision before it was finalized. It was a decision made in secrecy, one that disregarded the fundamental principles of transparency and democracy. When decisions affect an entire city, should they not involve the people who live in it? ​ Water is not just a commodity; it is a necessity, a right that every person deserves to access at a fair and reasonable cost. And yet, Iligan, a city overflowing with natural water sources, is being deprived of this right. 𝙄𝙏 𝙄𝙎 𝘼𝙎 𝙄𝙁 𝘼 𝙁𝙄𝙎𝙃𝙀𝙍𝙈𝘼𝙉, 𝙇𝙄𝙑𝙄𝙉𝙂 𝘽𝙀𝙎𝙄𝘿𝙀 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙊𝘾𝙀𝘼𝙉, 𝙄𝙎 𝙁𝙊𝙍𝘾𝙀𝘿 𝙏𝙊 𝘽𝙐𝙔 𝙁𝙄𝙎𝙃 𝘼𝙏 𝘼𝙉 𝙐𝙉𝘼𝙁𝙁𝙊𝙍𝘿𝘼𝘽𝙇𝙀 𝙋𝙍𝙄𝘾𝙀. ​ The irony of this situation is not lost on anyone. Iligan is home to the mighty Maria Cristina Falls, a powerful source of hydroelectric energy that has been lighting up industries for years. The city should be setting the standard for sustainable and affordable water distribution, not struggling under exploitative rates dictated by a private entity. ​ Instead of turning to a third-party supplier, why was the Iligan City Waterworks System (ICWS) not given the support and funding needed to improve its services? Rather than outsourcing water distribution to a corporation driven by profit, the city could have empowered its own system, ensuring that control remained in the hands of those who truly serve the public. ​ Strengthening the ICWS would have been the most practical, long-term solution. It would have meant locally managed water resources, reasonable rates, and transparency in governance. It would have prioritized the people over corporate interests and upheld the principle that public utilities should serve the public first. ​ The approval of JE Hydro’s contract raises deeper questions about governance and accountability. Who stood to benefit from this agreement? Were the decision-makers acting in the best interest of Iliganons, or were they swayed by other motivations? The people deserve to know the truth behind these signatures and the reasons they were affixed so swiftly. ​ At the heart of this issue lies a fundamental betrayal: those entrusted with the welfare of Iligan’s residents allowed a deal that placed corporate profit above the basic needs of the people. If Iliganons remain silent, this kind of governance will continue unchecked, paving the way for further injustices in the future. ​ The people of Iligan must not accept this situation passively. They must demand transparency, accountability, and action from their leaders. They must insist on fair water tariffs and a return to local control over their water resources. If this agreement cannot be reversed, it must at least be renegotiated to ensure that the burden does not fall unfairly on ordinary citizens. ​ The signatures that allowed this injustice to happen may have been inked in silence, but the voices of the people will not remain unheard. They must rise, question, and demand answers. They must call for reforms that protect public resources and prevent similar deals from being made without comprehensive public consent. ​ This is not just about water; it is about justice, about the right to accessible and affordable resources. It is about ensuring that the people of Iligan are not exploited under the guise of development. Their concerns must be heard, and their struggles must not be ignored. ​ If water is life, then access to it must never be a privilege—it must be a right, protected and preserved for generations to come. The fight for fair water rates is not just about affordability; it is about ensuring that the people’s interests come first, not last. This is a battle that Iligan must not lose. ​ It is time to reclaim what is rightfully ours. The waterfalls of Iligan have always flowed freely—so too should the will of its people. If we let injustice stand, we betray not only ourselves but also the future generations who will inherit the consequences of our inaction. Iliganons must take a stand, for water, for justice, and for their right to a fair and just city. ​ #SignatureSerye #HighWaterTarrifRatesIliganCity #IliganGazette