As the proposal for the 15-percent water hike is being studied, will Metro Roxas Water District (MRWD) use the fees generated from the impending rate hike to improve its facilities and services?
Carmen Andrade, former chairperson of the MRWD Board of Directors, asked whether the proposed increased in rate will cover expansion or improvement of projects.
Andrade noted that MRWD’s water treatment plant was built around 30 years ago and may need upgrading to meet the growing demand for water in Roxas City and the towns of Panay and Ivisan as well as portions of Sigma.
Andrade’s concern comes as MRWD is eyeing its first water rate hike in more than a decade.
MRWD General Manager Atty. Dante Arcangeles said the proposal comes as the current rate has been implemented since 2015, or more than 10 years ago.
The proposed water rate increase is being considered due to rising operational costs and the impact of inflation on basic commodities and services.
Based on MRWD’s presentation, households consuming 10 cubic meters of water per month will see an increase of about P38 monthly or roughly P1.27 per day.
For households consuming 20 cubic meters monthly, the increase would be around P83.50 per month, equivalent to approximately P2.78 per day.
For commercial consumers,the proposed increase will be around P35.02 under the first tranche and P39.50 under the second tranche if usage is 11 to 20 cubic meters per month.
For commercial establishments using more than 40 cubic meters, the increase will reach to P54.22 in the first tranche and P61.30 in the second tranche.
Bulk water rates will be approximately three times higher.
The proposed two-tranche water rate hike has to be submitted to the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), the government regulatory body.
If approved, Arcangeles said that the adjustment may take effect next year or later, depending on the approval process.
