CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES — The Cebu City Council, led by Acting Vice Mayor Winston Pepito, is seeking the suspension of the 10-percent water rate increase implemented by the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) on April 1, citing the growing burden on consumers amid rising prices.
Pepito said the latest adjustment added an average of P23 to monthly household bills, on top of the 12-percent increase imposed in October 2025.
“The immediate implementation of said rate adjustment may further burden consumers, particularly low-income households and marginalized sectors, who are already struggling to meet their daily needs,” read the council’s resolution.
Residents have also questioned the timing of the increase, noting that water supply issues persist, especially as the effects of the dry season continue to be felt in Cebu.
MCWD, however, maintained that the adjustment is the final tranche of a two-phase increase approved by the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) in August 2025. The first tranche—a 12-percent hike—was implemented in October last year.
Under the April 1 adjustment, the minimum charge for residential connections with a ½-inch meter rose to P259.16 for the first 10 cubic meters, an increase of P23.56 from the previous P235.60.
Commodity charges were likewise adjusted to P28.64 per cubic meter for consumption of 11–20 cubic meters, P33.71 for 21–30 cubic meters, and P82.52 for usage of 31 cubic meters and above.
MCWD said the staggered implementation was meant to cushion the impact on consumers while enabling the utility to sustain operations and fund priority projects.
These projects include reducing non-revenue water (NRW) caused by leaks, illegal connections, and aging infrastructure; rehabilitating old pipelines; and expanding the distribution network to meet growing demand.
The water district emphasized that the increase is anchored on long-term operational requirements and regulatory review, rather than short-term economic factors such as fuel price fluctuations.
Mayor Nestor Archival, who earlier considered deferring the hike, later expressed support after meeting with the MCWD Board. He described the adjustment as modest and necessary, equivalent to about 70 centavos per day per household.
Archival also stressed that the increase is part of a long-planned, LWUA-approved program rather than a sudden move by MCWD. However, he urged the utility to intensify efforts to reduce system losses and improve efficiency to justify the added cost to consumers.
The council’s resolution does not reject the increase outright but seeks a three-month suspension to allow households time to adjust and for MCWD to conduct further consultations with stakeholders.
“A temporary postponement of the rate increase would provide much-needed relief to consumers and allow sufficient time for the public to adjust financially, as well as for further review and dialogue among stakeholders,” the resolution added.
The decision now rests with MCWD and LWUA, which must weigh the city’s appeal against the utility’s operational and infrastructure needs.
| Written by Caecent No-ot Magsumbol/FPL
