‘Thorough’ study for Baciwa fee increase

BACOLOD City – The Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) will “thoroughly” study the P13 increase in the maintenance fee of the Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa), according to LWUA head Jeci Lapus.

Lapus ordered Baciwa to put on hold the implementation of the fee increase.

Baciwa Board Resolution No. 009 – approved on Jan. 12 – raised the Meter Repair and Maintenance Fee, which was renamed as Service Connection and Maintenance Fee, from P2 to P15 monthly.

“We are suspending the implementation [of the fee hike] until such time we find justification,” said Lapus.

Baciwa was supposed to impose the P15 maintenance fee to its concessionaires last February.

But the Sangguniang Panlungsod deferred such through a resolution, directing Baciwa to seek opinion from LWUA to determine the legality of the fee hike.

According to LWUA, Baciwa must have sought the approval of LWUA prior to the supposed implementation the fee increase.

Moreover, Baciwa is planning to increase its tariff rate from P208 to P248 for the first 10 cubic meters.

Lapus said the proposed increase is for Baciwa’s “new project” aimed at improving its service./PN

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