DAVAO CITY(January 10) – Davao City could face an insufficient water supply within the next five years if rapid population growth and continued economic expansion continue, the Davao City Water District (DCWD) warned Thursday.
In a radio interview, DCWD spokesperson Jovana Cresta Duhaylungsod said the city currently has a surplus of climate-resilient water, but demand driven by migration, housing construction, and investment activity is steadily narrowing that margin.
Supply under pressure
About 98 percent of DCWD customers already receive 24/7 water service, with the utility working to extend round-the-clock supply to all households even as new residential and commercial developments come online.
A major supply source is the Tamugan River, which provides up to 300 million liters per day under the Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project, benefiting more than a million residents and reducing dependence on groundwater.
DCWD officials, however, cautioned that climate variability, aging infrastructure, and urban sprawl mean current gains could be eroded without early investment in new sources and system upgrades.
Rate hike draws mixed reactions
To finance new water sources, service expansion, and infrastructure upgrades, DCWD is seeking approval for a 30 percent water rate increase, to be implemented in two tranches and reviewed by the Local Water Utilities Administration.
Urban poor groups acknowledged the need for water security but warned that any rate adjustment must not further strain low-income households.
“Tubig ang pinaka-basic na pangangailangan,” said Liza, a resident of a low-income community in the city’s southern district. “Kahit sinasabi nilang mananatili sa ilalim ng PHP500 ang bill, ramdam pa rin ito kapag minimum wage lang ang kita.”
Community advocates said safeguards for lifeline users must be strictly enforced and clearly communicated, noting that informal settlers and large households are often most vulnerable to service disruptions and price increases.
Business sector seeks reliability
Meanwhile, business groups said they were open to a rate increase if it translates into long-term supply stability.
“For businesses, especially food, manufacturing, and hospitality, uninterrupted water is non-negotiable,” said a representative of a local business chamber. “Predictable rates are important, but predictable supply is even more critical.”
Several small and medium enterprises noted that past service interruptions have forced them to rely on costly water deliveries, cutting into already tight margins.
Balancing growth and equity
DCWD said that even with the full increase, the first 10 cubic meters of water would cost about PHP320, and bills for the lowest-income households would remain below PHP500.
Water governance experts said the debate highlights a familiar tension in fast-growing cities: invest early and risk public backlash, or delay and face shortages that hit the poor hardest.
“As the city grows, we need to act now,” Duhaylungsod said. “The goal is to ensure that Davao continues to enjoy safe, sufficient, and affordable water—without waiting for a crisis.”
