Erroneous billing due to computer errors – BACIWA

By Dolly Yasa

 

BACOLOD City – Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa) General manager Juliana Carbon said that “erroneous billings” the water utility firm issued for the months of March, April and May 2020 were due to computer errors and average computations.

Carbon issued the statement during the committee hearing initiated by Councilor Wilson Gamboa Jr. Thursday.

Gamboa earlier authored a resolution asking Baciwa to explain the hefty increase in water consumption readings in the April to June billings, and to make adjustments due to the consumers’ complaints.

Consumers aired their complaints against the water utility firm for what they claimed are

“baseless” water bills, some of which are even triple of their average consumption.

Carbon apologized to the consumers and committed to rectify the erroneous billings.

“There was no actual reading conducted due to the community quarantine lockdown,” Carbon said.

She also assured that they will make the corresponding adjustments.

Baciwa conducted actual reading on May, June and July, she added.

Gamboa said Baciwa committed that it will no longer base its billing on average consumption but will conduct actual reading of the water consumed.

The erroneous billing was also due to a computer glitch which will be corrected by its computer provider, he added.

Gamboa also said that overcharges will be reflected in the July billing.

Carbon also said that residents are given June, July and August to pay their bills for March, April and May, respectively.

Baciwa will not impose penalties until August 15 but there will be disconnection, Carbon added.

She also said that the management will make the recommendation and the Baciwa board will decide.