ARTA litigation division asks Ombudsman to probe NWRB exec
INQUIRER FILES
CEBU CITY – An official of the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) is in hot water for failing to issue a water permit to a private firm.
The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) has recommended to the Office of the Ombudsman to conduct an “appropriate and further investigation” against lawyer Ricky Arzadon, acting executive director of NWRB, for violating Republic Act 11032, also known as the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.
RA 11032 aims to streamline government processes and improve service delivery, ultimately increasing efficiency.
“Upon thorough examination of the records and evaluation of the facts, there is prima facie evidence to sustain a finding of a possible violation against Arzadon,” said Rodolfo Del Rosario Jr., chief of the ARTA’s litigation division, in a resolution dated April 15, 2025.
“As of the date of this resolution, the NWRB has yet to issue the final water permit, notwithstanding the passage of over five years from the date of the original application. Here the excessive delay of five years raises a serious concern,” he added.
Del Rosario’s resolution was endorsed by Concepcion Zeny Ferrolino-Enad of the ARTA’s investigation, enforcement and litigation office; and approved by Undersecretary Geneses Abot, deputy director general for legal matters.
The issue stemmed from a complaint filed against Arzadon by Richard Lim Sr., chairman of the Richli Water Inc. (WTI) which is primarily engaged in the construction, operation, management, maintenance and rehabilitation of waterworks system.
Lim, on Aug. 30, 2019, filed an application for a water permit with the NWRB which subsequently issued a conditional water permit on Dec. 12, 2019.
However, Lim said the final water permit remains pending and has not been issued by the NWRB to date.
In his complaint, Lim alleged that the NWRB failed to render government services within the prescribed period for the processing of their application for a water permit absent any justifiable cause.
In his counter-affidavit, Arzadon claimed that the processing of Richli’s water application permit remains pending due to a supervening event, specifically a petition for cancellation filed by the Bohol Water Utilities Inc. against Richli’s conditional water permit.
Arzadon explained that the processing of Richli’s conditional water permit has been suspended pending the final resolution of the cases.
But the ARTA said, there is no indication on record that the NWRB exerted efforts to resolve these matters with urgency.
Furthermore, it said it does not appear that the NWRB formally issued any resolution, order, or official communication informing the applicant of a lawful suspension of the application processing period due to the supervening cases.
Under RA 11032, ARTA said government service includes applications for any privilege, right, reward, license, clearance, permit or authorization.
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“The application for a water permit falls within this definition as it seeks a permit that is regularly acted upon in the ordinary course of business by the NWRB. Thus, Lim’s transaction with NWRB clearly constitutes a request for government service,” it said./jpv
