THE lone water distributor in Davao City criticized the National Water Resource Board (NWRB) for dismissing its protest against the water permit application of power firm Hedcor Corp.

The Davao City Water District (DCWD), whose water permit issued by the NWRB in 2007 over the Tamugan River was declared null and void by the same agency, vowed to fight this unfavorable decision.

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In a press conference Friday, DCWD manager Rodora Gamboa said they are "extremely disappointed" with the NWRB decision and, at the same time, surprised as to why their permit was declared as null and void when there was no such petition to that effect.

"What was being heard was our protest against Hedcor's water permit application. Pero nagtaka kami na aside from dismissing our protest, NWRB also nullified our water permit," Gamboa said.

It was learned that DCWD received its copy of the 12-page NWRB decision on July 15.

The decision stated that the nullification of the water firm's permit was due to the fact that DCWD failed to make use of the Tamugan River. It also said that DCWD, however, can still re-apply for a water permit.

Gamboa said they will not re-apply for a water permit but instead explore other legal means, like the filing of a motion for reconsideration.

She also denied that DCWD has failed to make use of the Tamugan River, saying they have been making reforestation projects in the area in preparation for the implementation of their water project there.

Gamboa said their project in Tamugan was delayed due to the lack of proposals that’s to their liking. She also questioned NWRB for continually assessing DCWD for the water charge when they are already planning to nullify their water permit.

"Ngayong 2009 nag-assess pa sila sa amin at nagbayad din kami ng water charge tapos i-nullify lang din pala nila ang permit naming," Gamboa said.

With the dismissal of its protest and the nullification of its permit over Tamugan River, DCWD said it will have no other choice but to continue sourcing from the ground water.

Gamboa said this would mean they will continually be paying at least P200 million a year to the Davao Light and Power Corporation, sister company of Hedcor Inc., for its power use. She said they expect this to increase to P300 million if the power rate keeps rising.

But if they be allowed to use the surface water of Tamugan River, Gamboa said the power consumption will remarkably decrease, which will in turn result to either no increase of their water rate for years or decrease on their rate.

Gamboa urged the City Council not to amend the city's Water Code as this is their only hope to prevent Hedcor from using Tamugan River for their power generation.

She also urged all Dabawenyos to be active in the protection of Tamugan River, which is the only alternative drinking water source in the city.

A non-government organization has been conducting a signature campaign in the protection of the Tamugan River and it was learned that there are already about 50,000 Dabawenyos who supported the move.