CAGAYAN de Oro City — Consumers in Cagayan de Oro may soon face higher water bills as the Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD) seeks approval from the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) for a proposed water rate adjustment.

During the Meet the Press forum on June 17 hosted by the Cagayan de Oro Press Club, COWD General Manager Engr. Edna Najeal said the utility is proposing to increase the current water rate from P21.84 per cubic meter to P30.58 per cubic meter—an increase of nearly 40 percent.

If approved by LWUA, the adjustment could take effect in the last quarter of 2026 or early 2027. For local households, this raises an immediate practical question: Will water bills rise? Audit says rates fair, but CDO’s leaks remain a problem as the local utility struggles to fund its infrastructure upgrades."

Najeal said the proposed increase is long overdue and necessary to sustain operations, maintain facilities, and improve water services amid rising operational costs.

“For 15 years, nisaka na ang presyo sa power ug fuel, pero ang tubig wala gyud nagtaas. Kung amo bang ma-garantiya nga mawala na gyud ang problema sa tubig, dili mana siya outright. Dili na parehas sa sili nga mahalin dayon. It’s a chicken-and-egg situation,” Najeal said.

She explained that COWD needs additional funds to implement its 10-year development plan, which includes a series of projects aimed at improving the district’s water system and service delivery.

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Among the priority projects are the construction of a water treatment plant to ensure a more reliable and sustainable water supply, as well as the rehabilitation of aging pipelines, many of which have been in service for more than 50 years.

“Ang non-revenue water pud nato gikan na sa atong mga karaan nga linya sa tubig,” Najeal added, referring to water losses caused by leaks and deteriorating infrastructure.

While improvements may not be immediate, Najeal said the proposed rate adjustment is essential to secure funding for COWD’s long-term development plans.

Some consumers, however, remain unconvinced.

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Alex Palarca, a resident of Macasandig and a local artist, said he doubts the increase will solve the city's persistent water supply problems and worries it will only add to household expenses.

“Dugang lang na nga galastuhan. Wala naman ni kasulbaran atong problema sa tubig diri sa CDO,” he said.

Others are willing to give the proposal a chance.

Alyzza Cabral, 32, a call center agent, said she would support the increase if it leads to better service.

“Kung para ni sa kaayuhan, why not? Atong tan-awon,” Cabral said.