Zamboanga City slams water rate hike

ZAMBOANGA CITY: Mayor Isabel ClimacoSalazar has rejected anew the proposed water rate increase by the Zamboanga City Water District ( ZCWD) amid the coronavirus disease pandemic.

Climaco wrote a letter to Local Water Utilities Administration ( LWUA) Acting Administrator

Jeci Lapus regarding the untimely water rate increase sought by the ZCWD.

“Our people need economic support at this time for them to be able to get back on their feet. Increasing the minimum water rate at P278.00 is a heavy burden to the consumers,” she said.

The ZCWD — through Board Resolution 036-- seeks to pursue an upward adjustment in water tariffs and sewerage rates now pending approval of the LWUA.

Climaco said this is uncalled for because the city government is set to sign a memorandum of agreement with the ZCWD regarding a one- time grant of P500 water bill subsidy as assistance to water consumers, to be shouldered by the LGU.

“It is for these reasons that the City Government of Zamboanga strongly opposes favorable action by LWUA on ZCWD’s Board Resolution 036. Thank you for taking into consideration the welfare and interest of our water consumers, especially in this trying times,” Climaco’s letter to Lapus indicated.

Complaints

In March prior to the Covid-19 lockdown, Climaco also rejected ZCWD’s insistence for a water HIKE, SAYING, IT HAS TO fiRST IMprove utility services and ensure clean supply of potable water to residents, among other woes locals have raised against the ZCWD – a government owned and controlled corporation.

ZCWD executives wanted to raise water rates to improve its services. But residents have long COMPLAINED OF INEFfiCIENT SERVICES and yearly water rationing, and wasted water from broken or leaking pipes in different villages that largely contributed to the non- revenue water or losses to the ZCWD.