Julio Suero Marranzini, the director general of Santo Domingo?s water utility (CAASD), affirmed yesterday that the proposed legislation to reform the potable water and drainage sector has been stripped of its essence. He said that a reform of the sector has been discussed since the previous government administration and that their proposals were submitted to Congress over three years ago. Since that time, however, various changes made to the reform have rendered it unrecognizable. Suero Marranzini believes President Mejia should veto the ruling if it is approved by Congress.
While the CAASD official did not point any fingers at anyone in particular, he complained bitterly of the attitudes of those responsible for the modifications to what is being called the Water Bill. He implored the President not to back the legislation in the name of the country and its people?s best interests.
At the same time, Suero Marranzini said that an alternative to waiting for the reform law?s passage through Congress was to begin taking their own steps towards improving the water and drainage problems of the capital city. While the latter would yield modest results, he said, they would make steady strides to better develop these services to the people.