ELECTRICITY and water rates will not increase in 2017 in Davao City, officials assured Dabawenyos Friday, December 23.
DCWD spokesperson Bernard Delima assured consumers there will be no water price hike next year.
"There will be no water rate increase for next year (2017). We are totally committed to fully serve you for the next coming years," Delima said during the Kapehan sa PIA at the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) regional office.
The DCWD's current water rate is at P137.30 for 10 cubic meters.
"We remain to be the cheapest water provider in the country," Delima added.
But he said that some minimal increase in rates may be implemented by 2018.
"If there will be an increase we make sure that it is only minimal. In fixing rates, it should not be more than five percent above of the lowest income earner," Delima said.
Asked on the water demand in the city for next year, Delima said, DCWD projected the demand to reach 117 million cubic meters annually.
In 2016, water demand in the city is at 104 million cubic meters.
The DLPC, for its part, also vowed that no increase in rates will be implemented.
"As far as the distribution utility rate is concerned, we can assure that no increase will be implemented next year," Arturo Milan, DLPC's outgoing executive vice president and chief operating officer said.
Milan clarified that DLPC has no control on the generation and transmission rates.
"Maybe for generation rates, a slight increase will be implemented," Milan said.
It has been noted that whenever hydroelectric power is low, electricity bills double because generation cost increases.
