Davao City folk up in arms vs 70% hike in water rates

DAVAO CITY — Davao City residents are up in arms against the water rate hike of over 70 percent which the Davao City Water District (DCWD) is planning to impose in July.

The militant Bagong Alyansang Maka—bayan (Bayan) has warned of civil disobedience should the DCWD insist on implementing the water rate hike.

"This is arrogance on the part of the DCWD, much more insensitivity to the people’s economic distress," Bayan said in a statement.

Civic groups here have launched a signature campaign against the water rate hike which the DCWD board earlier had approved.

Over 400 member-organizations of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (DCCCII) have also protested the rate increase.

City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte himself is not happy with the DCWD move, saying he will see to it that the public’s interest will be protected at all times, especially against such an unreasonably high rate increase of what is considered a basic commodity.

City councilors have similarly strongly opposed the impending water rate increase, bewailing the DCWD’s stand that no one can stop it from imposing the hike.

In a resolution, the DCCCII said the water rate increase should be reduced to a minimum, especially since the DCWD is for service and not for profit.

It also called for an audit of the DCWD’s finances and other aspects of its operations.