Group flags ‘hidden water tax’

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Energy Rights Advocates (CERA) has raised alarm over what it described as a “hidden water tax,” warning that thousands of Cebuano households are paying significantly higher costs due to unreliable water supply.

The Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD), however, maintained that service improvements are ongoing and that consumers are not being charged for water losses.

CERA convenor Nathaniel Chua said the so-called “hidden water tax” refers to the added financial burden on consumers caused by water leaks and inconsistent supply, forcing households to buy from alternative sources such as refilling stations and delivery trucks.

In a statement, the group said some families are spending as much as P400 per cubic meter—more than ten times the standard rate for piped water—after being compelled to rely on these more expensive sources.

CERA said inconsistent or limited service in several parts of Metro Cebu has pushed residents and small businesses to turn to costlier options.

“When water does not reach the tap, families are forced to buy it elsewhere, and they end up paying much more,” Chua said.

He added that instead of paying a predictable monthly bill, residents are left to juggle purchases from water trucks and refilling stations to meet daily needs.

CERA said trucked water can cost up to P400 per cubic meter, while water from refilling stations may reach as high as P1,000 per cubic meter, placing a heavy burden on households.

The group warned that the situation is worsening inequality, with lower-income families bearing the brunt. Many, it said, cannot afford storage tanks or private wells and are forced to buy smaller quantities more frequently at higher cumulative costs.

“This is not just a logistical problem. It is a driver of urban poverty. The most affordable water is reliable tap water. When the system fails, the market price for survival becomes a luxury,” CERA said.

The group stressed that the issue goes beyond pricing and points to the lack of dependable supply.

“The real issue is not simply the price of water. The real cost is the absence of reliable supply. For many Cebuanos today, that cost is already being paid, with hundreds of pesos per cubic meter at a time, just to ensure their families have enough for daily use,” it added.

CERA is calling for greater transparency and faster infrastructure development to address the worsening water shortage. It also urged MCWD to accelerate projects to increase supply, warning that continued reliance on groundwater is unsustainable.

The group emphasized that ensuring “water for all” should be treated as a public necessity rather than a costly commodity.

MCWD General Manager Atty. John DX Lapid, for his part, said improvements in water services are ongoing and cannot be achieved overnight.

“Daan na man gyud nga continuous ang improvement sa water services sa MCWD. Dili man na madala og kalit. Dili na overnight nga mahimong maayo dayon. Padayon gyud na nga proseso, padayon ang pag-improve sa atong water services,” Lapid told The Freeman.

Lapid said that while previous management focused on increasing supply, the current priority is reducing non-revenue water (NRW) and improving the water district’s financial stability.

“Sa miaging board ug previous set of directors, ang ilang focus mao ang pagdugang sa water supply. Karon, ang atong gi-focusan mao ang pagpaubos sa atong non-revenue water (NRW), pagpaubos niini, ug siyempre, ang pagpahimutang nga mahimong financially stable ang water district,” he said.

He also clarified that consumers are not being charged for water losses.

“Apan gusto nakong klarohon nga wala gyud nato gipabayran sa consumers ang nawala nga tubig. Kana nga lost water, dili nato na ipasa sa publiko, kay ilegal man kana. Supak kana sa regulasyon sa Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA),” Lapid said.

Lapid emphasized that water districts are government agencies primarily focused on public service.

“Kinahanglan natong hinumduman nga ang tanang water districts mga ahensya sa gobyerno. Ang sentro gyud niini mao ang public service. Dili kini gihimo para pangnegosyo o pagpangwarta. Serbisyo publiko gyud ang tumong sa water district,” he said.

He also expressed openness to dialogue with stakeholders, including CERA, to address concerns and clarify issues related to water services. — /FPL (FREEMAN)