DAVAO City Water District (DCWD) is eyeing to launch its online payment scheme in September 2020.

DCWD Spokesperson Jovanna Duhaylungsod said they are still negotiating with various service providers that could provide customers different online payment options.

"Hopefully, we could launch this soonest so that our customers can utilize it," Duhaylungsod said.

She added they already submitted the necessary documents, now subject for review, to the providers.

Among the third parties they are negotiating with are banks, convenience stores and other online payment providers.

Customers of the local water utility have been demanding from DCWD other payment options. Aside from avoiding the hassle of queuing, this would also prevent mass gathering, which is vulnerable for the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) transmission.

Duhaylungsod said they are aware of the customer's clamor to pay their water bills online.

She said they are "carefully" selecting third-party providers.

"We have a lot of considerations for additional payment options. When you engage with other online payment options, naa siya corresponding service fee na idungag sa imo transaction. Careful mi sa pagpili sa among service providers. Dili namo gusto ma-overburden amo customers," Duhaylungsod said.

(We have a lot of considerations for additional payment options. When you engage with other online payment options, there is a corresponding service fee in your transactions, depending on the provider. We are careful in selecting service providers because we do not want to overburden our customers.)

Currently, online payments can only be done with a Landbank account through its mobile application, iAccess.

Previously, DCWD already implemented an online payment for other banks but was temporarily suspended.

"We got a directive that all government agencies imposing payment schemes to banks must be deposited on government banks. That is why we migrated to Landbank," she said.