MCWD asked to explain new rates in hearing

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Council has invited the Metropolitan Cebu Water District officials to appear in a public hearing to explain the new water rates that will take effect next year.

City Councilor Nestor Archival, Sr., in a privilege speech, said the public hearing will not stop the water district from imposing the new rates, but will make the consumers understand the increase better.

The public hearing is scheduled on December 17.

Aside from MCWD, the council also invited the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), Cebu Uniting for Sustainable Water, Consumer Rights for Economic Welfare Inc., Freedom From Debt Coalition, and other consumer groups to attend the public hearing.

Archival said there is a need to hold the public hearing since the last time a public hearing was called for MCWD to explain a rate increase was eight years ago.

During the hearing on May 7, 2014, at least nine consumers groups opposed the water rate increase because it would be an additional burden on the part of the consumers.

At that time, MCWD said the 12 percent increase will fund the implementation of P4 billion worth of projects, which included the expansion and repair of pipelines and subsidy for lifeline consumers.

“On the other hand, if the increase will not be approved by the LWUA, the majority of the areas which does not have the services connection of MCWD will basically buy water from the private supplier at a rate higher than what they are charging and further will have an adverse impact on the sustainability of the water district in the long term,” Archival said.

He said he was present during the series of discussions with MCWD to give his comments and recommendations regarding the increase. One of his suggestions was for MCWD to upgrade its services commensurate to the increase.

Archival said he received a letter from MCWD General Manager Ernie Delco informing him of the new rates starting January 1, as approved by LWUA.

MCWD has announced that the new rates will be reflected on the February 1 billing cycle.

MCWD said the 12 percent water rate increase is only about 0.99 per day cost of increase per person as compared to P4.54 per day for power and P6.66 per day per person.  — (FREEMAN)