Public hearing held on Metro Roxas water rate hike

By Felipe V. Celino

The Metro Roxas Water District held a public hearing Wednesday morning, March 4, on a proposed water rate increase, citing higher operating costs and planned service improvements.

MRWD General Manager Dante Arcangeles said the proposed increase would be implemented in two tranches.

For residential customers, the minimum rate now at PHP 252 would rise to PHP 290 in the first tranche and to PHP 328 in the second tranche.

MRWD said a household that consumes 10 cubic meters per month would pay an additional PHP 38 per month, or about PHP 1.27 per day, during the first tranche.

The water district said revenue from the increase would cover higher electricity and chemical costs for water treatment, rehabilitate dilapidated facilities and support system operations.

MRWD said it applies power cost and fuel cost adjustments based on actual operating expenses.

The proposed hike will be reviewed by the MRWD board of directors and would require approval from the Local Water Utilities Administration before it can be implemented.

MRWD was established in 1976 to serve Roxas City and later expanded operations to Panitan, Panay and Ivisan.

Its last rate increase was in 2015.