The silence of the provincial capitol on his revelation that it keeps a 30% share in the operation of the Bohol Water Utilities Inc. (BWUI) is an admission in itself. This was the statement issued by Tagbilaran Mayor Dan Lim on what he called is a “deafening silence” on the part of Gov. Edgar Chatto on this information. “That being the case, there is also reason to assume that his continued silence to the provincial government share amounting to P30 million from the collection of unbilled differentials is also an admission,” he added. The mayor had previously disclosed that BWUI stands to collect P100 million from the water rate increase all the way to 2006. “Since the province owns 30%, it is therefore entitled to a share of P30 million,” the mayor added.

Lim said he is disappointed that instead of coming clean on the issue, Chatto has chosen the path of silence. “This is unconscionable that the government will be a party to a business venture that feeds on the misery of the people,” he added. Instead of alleviating the sufferings of the Tagbilaran water consumers, Lim said Chatto is rubbing salt to their injury. “This reminds us of vultures who suck the blood from the dead,” added. Lim said his legal team is putting the final touches to the case that he will file to oppose the collection of the rate increase retroactive to 2006. The mayor also brushed aside the efforts of his critics to put pressure on him on the fate of the case saying this is a voluntary issue. “No one is preventing people who have a lot of money to throw away from paying the excessive collection,” he added.

Lim said all those who do not share the misery of the rest can always pay the rate increase because that is their right. “It does not mean to say though that I will not do anything just because there are people who do not oppose the retroactive increase,” he added. The mayor said that he is going ahead with the case because of the expressions of support from people who oppose the retroactive increase. Lim dared his critics to make a categorical declaration on the controversy. “I dare Gov. Chatto and Cong. (Rene) Relampagos to tell the people if they are for or against the retroactive increase,” he added. The mayor had previously issued the challenge but both the governor and the first district solon had chosen to remain mum on their position. Lim, however, insists they are actually in favor of it. He pointed out that Capitol is part of the business so it will benefit from the collection. “The more payments collected from the water consumers, the better for the Capitol,” he added. Lim vowed to continue the fight. “We would rather exhaust all legal remedies to oppose the retroactive increase than grumble but do nothing about it,” he added.