Cebu homeowners group, water district clash

The project is necessary as in Cebu City alone, the water demand has reached 243,000 cu m per day but MCWD can only supply 118,000, a discrepancy of 125,000 cu m daily

A group of Cebu residents is planning to sue the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) for bidding on desalination projects that may increase the price of water supply by as much as 14 percent.

From the current P15.20 per cubic meter (cu m) for the first 10 and P16.80 per cu m, prices may soar from between P74.50 per cu m to as much as P120.

The Federation of Metro Cebu Homeowners Association ( FMCHA), an umbrella organization of different homeowners based in Cebu City, said they are awaiting the completion of biddings in nine service areas of MCWD in Cebu, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu and Talisay cities and the towns of Consolacion and Cordova before making a move.

FMCHA president Crisologo Saavedra, in an exclusive interview with Daily Tribune, said several accredited water suppliers who refused to be identified supported their fears.

They wonder why MCWD will hike prices that much when there are desalinated water sources in the province, like in Carmen, that sell at only P50 per cu m.

MCWD chairman Jose Daluz III admitted the price of water for desalination projects, which will produce 220,000 cu m daily, will have higher price increase on commercial establishments but less for residential consumers.

Daluz said the project is necessary as in Cebu City alone, the water demand has reached 243,000 cu m per day but MCWD can only supply 118,000, a discrepancy of 125,000 cu m daily.

He said the projected P74.50 pricing will cover power costs.

The MCWD board of directors submitted Resolution 09-150-2020 dated 12 September that called for an “invitation to apply for eligibility and to submit a proposal” for the nine service areas in Metro Cebu.