DAVAO CITY – The Davao City Water District wants increase in their water rate, despite clamor about intermittent and insufficient supply for years.
The management of the quasi-government water firm through its spokesperson Jovana Cresta Duhaylungsod in an interview with reporters claimed the needed to increase the current rate which is pegged at PHP137.30 for the first 10 cubic meters of consumption.
Despite public outcry, the DCWD wants to impose increase from 2022 at PHP178.50, PHP214.20 in 2023, and PHP235.60 in 2024, according to DCWD.
Citing the need to improve their service and upgrade their facilities, Duhaylungsod said the increase is needed as they need funds for the realization of the project.
The increase is again at the expense of the unsatisfied consumers as many areas of the city remain waterless during daytime and worse, water supply comes during wee hours rendering them sleepless at night.
During the recent press briefing, She emphasized “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.”
Before the move to increase the water rate, thousands of residents from the first and second legislative district of the city have been up in arms agianst the water firm due to insufficient supply of water bu the management remain nonchalant about the cry.
The safest excuse has always been due to undergoing improvement.
Poor and insufficient supply
Meresa Alesna, a village leader in Barangay Catalunan Grande, a village which sits just about fifteen minute ride from the DCWD Malagos water source said “We could not even have a sufficient water and now they want an increase?’
In their village Alesna said “We do not have water during day time and the water usually comes at around 11:00 in the evening up to 5:00 in the morning and we are sleepless.”
Alesna’s village in Sanai, will only enjoy water during rainy days or nights as they collect rain water in big plastic drums .-Editha Z. Caduaya
