Fuentebella opposes Duterte order abolishing PDA

By Paulo DS Papa

LEGAZPI CITY --- Camarines Sur 4th District Rep. Arnie Fuentebella is preparing a legal challenge against the order issued during the Duterte administration abolishing the Partido Development Administration (PDA), arguing that only Congress has the authority to dissolve the government agency created by law.

Fuentebella recently disclosed that he participated in a meeting with local chief executives and officials of the Governance Commission for Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GCG), where the issue of the PDA’s abolition was included in the agenda.

The congressman said the discussions stemmed from Sangguniang Panlalawigan Resolution No. 474, Series of 2017, authored by former board member Gilmar “Maymay” Pacamarra, which sought the abolition of the PDA over alleged income losses, persistent poverty in the Partido District, and supposed overlapping functions within the agency.

In 2018, the resolution led to the issuance of Memorandum Order No. 29 signed by then-president Rodrigo Duterte abolishing the PDA.

Fuentebella, however, questioned the legality of the order, stressing that the PDA was established through Republic Act No. 7820 in 1994 and therefore could only be abolished by an act of Congress.

He emphasized that the PDA currently operates the Partido Water Supply System (PWSS), which manages several water pumping stations serving municipalities in the Partido area.

According to Fuentebella, abolishing the PDA could eventually lead to the privatization of the water supply system.

“If the PDA is abolished, the government may be compelled to liquidate the water supply system into a profit-oriented private institution,” he said.

He added that continued government management of the water supply system would help ensure affordable water rates for consumers in the Partido district.

Fuentebella also noted that the PWSS remains financially stable, describing it as a service-oriented institution capable of generating income while paying dividends and loan obligations.

Meanwhile, the congressman clarified concerns regarding insufficient water supply in Barangays Panagan and Mabalodbalos in Tigaon, Camarines Sur.

He said an additional water system tapping the springs in Barangay Panagan is being considered to augment water supply in the affected communities, although the project would require an estimated budget of P70 million to P80 million.

A meeting was scheduled on Tuesday, June 30, to further discuss the legal issues surrounding Duterte’s memorandum order and Fuentebella’s position that Congress alone has the power to abolish the PDA.