The much awaited water connection for the town of Panglao coming from the Bohol Water Utilities Inc. (BWUI) will be discussed in an urgent meeting at 10 o'clock tomorrow morning called by Gov. Erico Aumentado and Rep. Edgar Chatto at the Governor's Mansion.

The governor and the congressman are determined to finally break the deadlock over the water issue between the two warring factions of the Panglao officialdom.

The two officials noted that the Panglao officials should set aside their political bickerings for the welfare of the people of said town especially the resort owners who are now asking the government and private sector leaders to help resolve the issue on the water problem.

The meeting tomorrow has invited Panglao Mayor Doloriech Dumaluan, Vice Mayor Pedro Fuertes and other Panglao officials together with representatives from BWUI.

In an interview with the Chronicle yesterday, Mayor Dumaluan said that unknown to many there is already a working settlement to solve water woes in Panglao.

Dumaluan said he has mapped out short-term, medium-term and long-term alternatives.

Although the mayor admits he is at odds with some members of the Sangguniang Bayan, who are always blocking his development agenda, they can work together to resolve this issue.

He said that the construction of the Panglao airport should not be prioritized, instead municipal and provincial officials should look into the prioritization of providing potable water connections in said town which is vital to businesses and resorts.

Dumaluan said he has been negotiating with BWUI, and in fact, barangay Bolod, through his request, has already adopted a resolution allowing the water cooperative organized by resort owners and consumers to enter into a franchising deal with BWUI.

This would also allow the local government to enter into a Memorandum of agreement (MOA) with BWUI for the water connection.

The pipelines of BWUI are now in barangay Mariveles, Dauis town, a few kilometers away from Panglao.

Mayor Dumaluan said it is unfair that he is being crucified by the media, when in fact, BWUI already have a drafted MOA for the water connection project.

He clarified that the meeting last Friday was initiated by Kag. Nila Montero with desalination experts from Cebu City in an effort to satisfy the need for potable water and he "was just happy that there are people who want to help", Dumaluan said describing Montero's initiative of bringing in the Cebu experts.

Dumaluan said he welcomes such initiatives but admits it would be better if the water supply would come from BWUI since it is much cheaper than the desalination process.

Three barangays in Panglao still do not have water connections but the municipal waterworks system continue to improve its pipelines going to these barangays, according to Dumaluan.

For years now, water coming from the rural waterworks could not be used for drinking and even for cooking.

Tomorrow's meeting will be closely monitored by the public to know if the town's officials are matured enough to consider water as a prime need.