THE second tranche of the 20 percent water rate hike by the Davao City Water District (DCWD) will push through this year but the exact date of implementation is not yet determined.
DCWD spokesperson Jovana Cresta Duhaylungsod said on Tuesday that the approval for the second tranche needs to undergo the approval of the Local Water Utilities Administration before the rate hike can be implemented.
“Hopefully, once approved, that's the time we can reflect the rate hike in the water bill of our customers," Duhaylungsod told SunStar Davao.
The 20 percent hike is the second of three tranches wherein the first 30 percent was implemented last August 2022 and the remaining ten percent will follow suit - for a total 60 percent rate hike.
The water rate adjustment will be used to fund the 10-year development plan of DCWD to improve their operations and reach more customers in farther parts of Davao City.
“The increase in water rate has corresponding improvements to our water services which we can also assure that we can achieve,” Duhaylungsod said.
Some of these improvements also target the infrastructure development of existing sources and the creation of additional water supply systems to keep up with the growth of Davao City since more residential areas, and commercial and industrial establishments are expected in the future.
The spokesperson shared that DCWD operations as of January 2023 have improved compared to the same period last year as a lot of areas already have improved water services, especially when it comes to water availability and water pressure.
However, it is still inevitable for some areas in the city to experience water service interruptions, especially while the Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project (DCBWSP) is not yet operational.
Duhaylungsod said DCBWSP contractor Apo Agua Infrastructura set the target date for the start of operations on June 1, 2023.
She said preparatory works are ongoing and once the operation starts, DCWD and Apo Agua can assess the efficiency of the water system.
"Lahi pud gyod ang significant kaayo ang difference na mabuhat once mag operate na ang bulk water supply (The bulk water supply system will bring in significant difference once it starts to operate).” ICM