Water rate hike

• Increase to be implemented in tranches

RESIDENTS may soon find their water bills higher if the proposed 60% water rate increase sought by the Davao City Water District (DCWD) is approved.

Jovana Cresta Duhaylungsod, if approved, “it would would be implemented spokesperson of be implemented in three upon approval, 20% the the utility, told TIMES tranches.” next year and the remainder in a phone interview that Under the proposal, in the third year. the increase would be the Duhaylungsod explained, Under the proposal first since 2005 and that, 30% the rate increase and if fully implemented, those who use 10 cubic meters a month will pay about P100 more. At present, these users pay P137.30 a month.

The water utility filed the proposal before the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) in January with the hope of getting the approval two months later, although the regulatory body has required the applicant more documentation to substantiate its application.

The filing of the water rate increase application took place a month after the public hearing that was held at the water utility’s parking area at its building in Matina lot in

BING GONZALES A MAN reads the Quran inside the mosque along Quimpo Blvd. as Muslim communities around the world observe their holy month of Ramadan by fasting from dawn to dusk. Obligatory fasting, or sawm in Arabic, is the fourth pillar of Islam.