DAVAO CITY – Even amidst public grumbling about intermittent and at times inefficient service, the Davao City Water District (DCWD) appealed to its constituents to keep an “open mind” on the proposed rate increase this year.
DCWD deputy spokesperson Jovana Cresta Duhaylungsod said Monday the water utility needs to generate funding to ensure that its services can keep up with the city's burgeoning infrastructure development.
"DCWD would want the services by the time these developments take place, we see the effect of water supply challenges right now. We would want to be ready for ample water to be available," Duhaylungsod said in a press briefing.
There are currently more than 10 high-rise residential developments in the city.
Duhaylungsod added that these developments demand an expansion of the water services to avoid frequent water interruptions.
Fix poor services first
However, Dabawenyos who took to social media to complain against the local water utility said DCWD must fix its poor services first.
Laumie Villacorte Velasquez, a resident of Nova Tierra in Brgy. Lanang, said water interruptions have been getting frequent of late and that DCWD should boost the water pressure in their area.
“Water cannot even reach our area here, we have been waiting since Monday. I hope you will take note of this, we are not demanding that there will be no water interruption, at least just allow some water to flow through our residences here,” Velasquez wrote on her Facebook account Tuesday.
Rjie Colasito Espinosa, who lives in Matina Gravahan, also echoed the same sentiment, saying DCWD's service does not justify their charges.
“Your meter runs fast, but there’s hardly any water dropping from our faucets. Only air comes out. I hope DCWD would fix their service,” Espinosa wrote on Facebook.
DCWD's proposed water rate hike is planned to be implemented in tranches by 30 percent in 2022, 20 percent in 2023, and 10 percent in 2024.
Dabawenyos presently pay PHP137.30 for the first 10 cubic meters of consumption.
This year, the rate would increase to PHP178.50, PHP214.20 in 2023, and PHP235.60 in 2024, according to DCWD.
Duhaylungsod said the proposed hike is staggered into three tranches to cushion its financial impact on the consumers, considering that the city is still under Alert Level 1. (PNA)
