DCWD eyes rate hike in 2019
THE Davao City Water District (DCWD) eyes an increase its water rate charges by 2019 as the costs of equipment and other materials used in maintaining its water facility also increases every year.
In an interview with DCWD Spokesperson lawyer Bernard Delima, he said the continuous facility improvements of the district requires purchases of new equipment such as water pipes, quality measuring devices and rotating machineries that are getting more expensive at every purchase.
"If not now or next year, then 2019 would be ‘high time' to increase water rates in both commercial and residential establishments in the city," he said.
Delima, however, assured that the increase will not be large and will follow the increase percentage rate in previous years.
In 2005, DCWD increased the water rate charge in the city by 60 percent to enable the district to expand its facilities and sustain the maintenance of water supply.
Delima said former Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte requested DCWD to lower the rate increase from 60 percent to 30 percent as many people were complaining about the sudden high increase.
The remaining 30 percent of the increase were distributed during 2011 to 2013 with 10 percent increase per year.
"The rate increase in 2019 will be around 30 to 50 percent, depending on the result of the discussion among the DCWD board of directors," he said.
DCWD water rates start from P54.90 per 10 cubic meters for residential and government establishments while P69 to P96 per 10 cubic meters for small to medium commercial establishments.
Delima assured the public that DCWD will do its best to improve the quality of its service with the increase of the water rates.