The Davao City Water District has assured its consumers that the utility company will not increase its rate next year, despite the needs for additional funding for its future infrastructure projects that would cater the increasing demands for water supply.
DCWD Spokesperson Atty. Bernard Delima told reporters on Tuesday that they are under “tight budgeting” since the utility is not subsidized by the government.
“We’re currently having our budget planning right now, and increasing our rate is not part of the proposal,” Delima said.
Although he said that because of the huge expenditures with the Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project (DCBWSP), the Water District representative is uncertain that there would be no increase for 2020.
Currently, DCWD minimum water rates is at P54.90 per 10 cubic meters for residential and government establishments while P68.90 to P96.05 per 10 cubic meters for small to medium establishments.
The DCWD last granted a 60 percent increase in 2005. Only 30 percent of it was carried out that year. The implementation of the remaining 30 percent was staggered for 10 percent each year on 2012, 2013, and 2014.
Meanwhile, the DCBWSP is projected to end the water problems with the completion of the P12-billion bulk water supply project, in partnership with Apo Agua Infrastractura, Inc.
Under the said project, the pipelines would allow the shift of Davao City’s main water supply source from ground water to surface water.
Apo Agua is projected to supply 109.5 million cubic meters a year from the project 117 million cubic meter demand by 2019.
Delima also said that DCWD projects an increase of water service connection for 2019 with 237,000, a 22,000 increase from the current 215,000 household connection.
