OFFICIALS of the Zamboanga City Water District (ZCWD) have presented to Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar for her approval the ZCWD’s P5.3 million investment plan that will require increasing the existing water rates.
Engineer Marli Acosta-De Fiesta, ZCWD Engineering and Construction Department head, said there is a need to increase the water rates to finance the agency’s P5.3 million investment plan for the next eight to 10.
De Fiesta said the ZCWD officials met with Salazar on Friday, November 22, and presented to her the proposal even as she assured that the increase will not go beyond the five percent of the lowest income group as per data of the Philippine Statistics Office (PSA).
“Everything has been laid down to the mayor, all our infrastructure development programs have been laid down as well but the actual water rates increase has to be firmed up yet in consultation with our city officials so that it will be acceptable to the people,” De Fiesta said.
She said the implementation of the water rates increase will depend on compliance with the guidelines set by the Local Water Utilities Administration. (SunStar Philippines)