COWD rate hike
TheMonitorMindanaoToday.com | Socmed post on COWD proposed rate hikes draws mixed reactions
Within six hours, the announcement of the Cagayan de Oro City Water District (COWD) for the conduct of public hearings on its proposed water rate adjustments that was posted online on Wednesday, June 3, generated 338 varied reactions.
But 95 of the 338 netizens who reacted to the online post turned down the COWD proposed rate adjustment and posted 204 comments, most of these were negative. There were 126 thumbs up, though, while 85 just laughed it off, and 19 felt sad. There were 214 netizens who shared the COWD announcement.
Most common comment posed a challenge for COWD: Rate adjustment must result to stable water supply and of good quality.
In a statement, the COWD is proposing a 68-percent rate adjustment within a two-year span: 40 percent on first year, and 28 percent on second year. From the current rate of P21.68 per cubic meter to P30.58 and then from P30.58 to P36.70.
COWD’s current rate of P21.68 per cubic meter was fixed in 2014. There was no rate adjustment since then.
Among the reasons cited in the COWD statement include rising operating cost and its revenues could cover only its day-to-day administrative, operations and maintenance expenses. It could hardly undertake even small-scale projects.
COWD’s current limited revenues prevents the system from expanding, replacing aging pipelines, and developing new water sources. It intends to construct its own modest water treatment facility. – Uriel Quilinguing
The public hearings are scheduled on June 24 and 25 in four separate locations: Day 1 – Barangay Balulang Covered Court 9 a.m., and Carmen Barangay Hall Covered Court 2 p.m.; Day 2 – Barangay 24 Covered Court 9 a.m., and Barangay Tablon Mini-Gym 2 p.m.
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