By Boy Ryan B. Zabal
Concessionaires of the Metro Kalibo Water District (MKWD) must take the lead in asking the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) to disapprove the water rate increase of the water district, said Vice Gov. Ronquillo Tolentino.
The 31 percent increase will start appearing in their March 2006 billing.
Curiously, the 50 percent decrease in water meter rental and maintenance fee for MKWD’s 14,000 concessionaires was glossed over.
“The legislative body opposes the hike. Considering the current economic hardships, consumers should appeal the decision with NWRB in Manila,” he said.
MKWD General Manager Renato Albar said the increase was approved through MKWD Board Resolution No. 01, Series of 2006 implementing the NWRB decision dated November 18, 2005 on Case No. 03 – 059.
The water rates increase will affect concessionaires of the towns of Kalibo, Banga, New Washington and Balete.
“Although the MKWD justified the water rates hike, the reconsideration should be with the NWRB,” Tolentino pointed out.
MKWD claimed that “the water district is left with no recourse but to impose the charges as part of averting a possible negative cash flow this year.”
They said the NWRB freeze order in MKWD’s water rates increase in 2003 affected their capability to manage the water district.
That year, the water district was embroiled in a P25-million controversy on the purchase of materials and for the additional infrastructure projects in the town of Balete.
MKWD will also reduce the water meter rental and maintenance fee by 50 percent from P20 to P10 per month per concessionaire. Starting next year, the water utility will charge P205 from the P170 minimum rate for residential consumers or 44 percent compared to 2005 water rates schedule
To ensure prompt payment of water bills, MKWD is offering a 10 percent discount during the March 2006 to February 2007 billing period; and 7.5 percent during the March 2007 – February 2008 period. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com
Concessionaires of the Metro Kalibo Water District (MKWD) must take the lead in asking the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) to disapprove the water rate increase of the water district, said Vice Gov. Ronquillo Tolentino.
The 31 percent increase will start appearing in their March 2006 billing.
Curiously, the 50 percent decrease in water meter rental and maintenance fee for MKWD’s 14,000 concessionaires was glossed over.
“The legislative body opposes the hike. Considering the current economic hardships, consumers should appeal the decision with NWRB in Manila,” he said.
MKWD General Manager Renato Albar said the increase was approved through MKWD Board Resolution No. 01, Series of 2006 implementing the NWRB decision dated November 18, 2005 on Case No. 03 – 059.
The water rates increase will affect concessionaires of the towns of Kalibo, Banga, New Washington and Balete.
“Although the MKWD justified the water rates hike, the reconsideration should be with the NWRB,” Tolentino pointed out.
MKWD claimed that “the water district is left with no recourse but to impose the charges as part of averting a possible negative cash flow this year.”
They said the NWRB freeze order in MKWD’s water rates increase in 2003 affected their capability to manage the water district.
That year, the water district was embroiled in a P25-million controversy on the purchase of materials and for the additional infrastructure projects in the town of Balete.
MKWD will also reduce the water meter rental and maintenance fee by 50 percent from P20 to P10 per month per concessionaire. Starting next year, the water utility will charge P205 from the P170 minimum rate for residential consumers or 44 percent compared to 2005 water rates schedule
To ensure prompt payment of water bills, MKWD is offering a 10 percent discount during the March 2006 to February 2007 billing period; and 7.5 percent during the March 2007 – February 2008 period. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com
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