CAGAYAN de Oro City — Consumers could soon see higher water bills as the Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD) pushes for a 40 percent increase in water rates, but the proposal is drawing backlash from residents and local officials who say service problems must be addressed first.

Councilor Roger Abaday has called for a thorough review of the proposed adjustment, urging the Liga ng mga Barangay and the City Council's Committee on Public Utilities to hold a coordinated meeting with COWD officials.

He said the meeting would give consumers a chance to air their concerns and seek answers on the water district's service performance and the basis for the proposed increase.

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Abaday, who opposed the proposed rate hike, said many residents continue to complain about low water pressure, intermittent supply, and muddy water coming from their taps whenever water service resumes after interruptions.

"If consumers are being asked to pay more, they deserve better service," he said in his special report before the City Council on Monday, June 8.

Under the proposal, the minimum residential water rate would increase from P218 to P294, adding P76 to the monthly expenses of households already burdened by rising costs of food, electricity, transportation, and other basic necessities.

Abaday said COWD representatives should explain why a rate adjustment is being sought despite the recurring complaints from consumers.

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In response to questions from Mindanao Gold Star Daily, COWD Board Chair Gerry Cañó cited Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Memorandum Circular No. 2019-03, which reiterates the operational autonomy of local water districts under Presidential Decree No. 198.

The memorandum states that local water districts, once formed, "are not under the jurisdiction of any political subdivision" and are autonomous agencies independent of local governments. 

It further provides that they should be allowed to operate with the least hindrance and interference from local officials while receiving maximum support and assistance.

"Dito yung dapat nila i-observe," ("This is what they should observe,") Cañó said, referring to the DILG memorandum.

Cañó said the DILG issuance affirms the authority of water districts to manage their operations and enter into contracts as authorized by law.

For its part, COWD said water rates have remained unchanged since 2014. 

The utility explained that the proposed adjustment would be implemented in two phases to help finance infrastructure projects, system improvements, and the expansion of the city's water supply system.

Still, the proposal has sparked concerns among consumers who argue that improved service should come before higher charges.

Several consumers who attended the City Council session said they were not opposed to paying more if it meant better service, but insisted that COWD must first address long-standing complaints of low water pressure, supply interruptions, and muddy water before asking residents to shoulder higher bills.

"We just want reliable and clean water. If they can fix the service, then people may understand the need for an increase," one consumer said.