Roxas City – Following the offshoot of the Pre-Public Hearing dialogue between the Metro Roxas Water District Management and the local officials of the concerned local government units held last August 2011, the District has successfully conducted public hearings for the water rates increase in the different service areas of Panit-an, Panay, Roxas City and Ivisan on October 10, 11, 13 and 17, 2011 respectively. The said activities endeavored by the MRWD Management and the Interim Board of Directors, with the assistance of representatives from the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) were done not only to concur with requirements of LWUA for the proposal but more importantly to afford the concessionaires and all concerned of enough information on the proposed water rates increase and its rationale. The proposal involves a 10% & 29% increase in the water rates for years 2012 and 2014, respectively. The Management has candidly presented among others the debt-servicing of loan with LWUA, defraying the escalating cost of chemicals, fuel and electricity and the other expenses incurred in the daily operations and maintenance to account for the rate increase. The open forum done subsequent to the presentation of the proposed water rates increase in every service areas served as an opportunity for the proposal to beintelligently scrutinized by everyone who attended and took part in the public hearings.

Feedbacks pertaining to the rate increase were duly noted by the Management to be manifested with the LWUA. All other queries and concerns raised during the forum with regards the District’s operations and services were also addressed. As the proposal is now with the LWUA, MRWD awaits and hopes for its positive outcome for the betterment of public service.