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[av_heading heading=’WATER RATE HIKE Espinosa blasts MIWD for not informing public of plan ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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ILOILO City – Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) is seeking a 26 percent increase in its water rate but the city government appears to have no idea about it.
According to General Manager Imelda Magsuci, the water district has a pending application at the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) for a new rate – P200 per 10 cubic meters of water or P20 per cubic meter.
This is P41 or 26 percent higher than the prevailing rate of P159 per 10 cubic meters (P15.90 per cubic meter) of water.
“We don’t know anything about that. They have not informed the city council, too,” said Mayor Jose Espinosa III.
MIWD appeared to have blindsided the city government, said the mayor who last week ordered the water district’s Board of Directors to “cease and desist from further performing the powers and functions of the members of the BOD…such as but not limited to your rumored plan to award a P12.349-billion contract to a private water distributor…”
“Even LWUA has not officially informed us about the application for water rate increase,” Espinosa told reporters.
LWUA is the government agency overseeing the development of water supply systems in provincial cities and municipalities outside Metro Manila.
“Aren’t we entitled to a legal notice? Other government regulatory bodies do that. When there are proposed increases in rates they immediately send notices to the Sangguniang Panlungsod and city government kon ma-intervene kamo,” said Espinosa.
According to Magsuci, MIWD had not increased its rate since 2004. Their application is currently under preliminary evaluation by LWUA.
Espinosa only learned of the water district’s application for rate hike from journalists who sought his reaction to the MIWD plan.
He warned of more rate increases once MIWD pushes through with its multibillion-peso water distribution joint venture with MetroPac Water Investments Corp. (MWIC).
“There won’t be any rollback in the water rate unlike in fuel. Kon dako imo investment, dako man imo increase. Indi lang nga bawion mo ang imo investment, may ginansya pa. Ti sin-o ang hul-an?” said Espinosa.
Engr. Arnold Laurente, chairperson of MIWD’s joint venture selection committee, said the water district and MWIC agreed that for the first two years of the venture, the rate prevailing at the time of the water distribution takeover would be followed.
“Nakibot na lang ako nga it is a done deal already,” said Espinosa yesterday.
The mayor said he was never informed of the joint venture.
MIWD does not have the authority to award a P12.349-billion water distribution contract to MIWC, insisted Espinosa last week.
He warned MIWD that the city government would take legal action “kon indi gid sila mamati sa aton.”
Espinosa clarified he has nothing personal against MIWD officials. His cease and desist order last week was primarily meant to halt the joint venture agreement pending his review, he said.
“I don’t want to be accused of sleeping on the rights of Iloilo City consumers. Ako na ‘ya karun mabasulan kon ano mahinabo,” he told city hall reporters.
He is open to speaking with MIWD but the water district must initiate it and do the explaining, he stressed.
“Indi anay pag-i-bind ang MIWD sa any private firm kay tan-awon ta gid. I want a review,” said Espinosa./PN
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