By Gio J. Tanudtanud
THE DAVAO City Water District will implement the 20% second tranche of the 60% water rate adjustment this year.
During the Kapihan sa PIA at SM Ecoland, on Feb. 12, DCWD spokesperson Jovana Duhaylungsod said that the 20% water rate adjustment last year will be implemented for this year in the February consumption and reflected in the March billing.
The 60% rate adjustment submitted to the Local Water Utilities Administration (LUWA) last 2021 was approved but the utility firm decided to give consumers financial relief by enforcing the fee hike in three tranches—the first 30% was added to the bill in August 2022.
The second tranche 20% was supposed to be implemented in 2023 and the third and last 10% for this year.
Duhaylungsod said the approval for last year was delayed since they had to go through all the requirements like public a hearing and a review by LUWA.
“Wala namo siya na implement dayon last year because of that review and medyo na delay gyud ang ilahang approval.” she said.
She also said they had to postpone some of the projects since they did not impose the 20% increase. The approval of the 20% will allow them to move several infrastructure projects for expansion.
“The non-implementation of the 20% last year meant that there were projects that we had to shelf. So with the approval this year and the implementation this year of the 20%, we will be able to move more projects,” she said.
The third and final 10% increase is scheduled to be enforced later this year. She said they are making a public announcement when the new rates would take effect.
