MKWD: Water rate up in January for Kalibo consumers
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan - Water distributor Metro Kalibo Water District (MKWD) is pushing for rate increase early next year for concessionaires in the town of Kalibo.

MKWD general manager Engr. Renato Albar said the impending water tariff rate of P35 per cubic meter is scheduled on January 2011.
"The LWUA-approved rate should have been implemented in 2003. At that time, the consumers challenged the water district in the regional trial court and they were granted a temporary restraining order. There were no legal impediments right now after the Court of Appeals granted the water district's petition to increase water rates as early as the first quarter of 2010," said Albar in an interview by Bombo Radyo Kalibo.

By 2011, the customers would bear the rate hike starting on their January water consumptions. For the first ten cubic meters, the residential water users would pay P205 from the present P170, which is now similar to the water rates of adjoining service areas of MKWD.

Albar said the new commercial water rate schedule, which was deferred for implementation in 2003, will be disseminated to their consumers in the Kalibo area.

"The water district proposes as early as 2006 for a 15-year developmental programs or vision 20/20 to sustain the demand for potable water. The water district is keen on constructing an elevated storage water tank to further enhance the capability of MKWD to supply water during peak hours," Albar said.

"With a growth rate of 1,200 water connections per year, the consumers might reach 28,000 in 2020. To cushion the impact of increasing demand for clean and potable water, MKWD will be constructing and upgrading its water facilities and reservoirs before 2020."

MKWD services the water needs of more than 18,500 active water service connections in the municipalities of Banga, Balete and New Washington. It was categorized by the Local Water Utilities Administration as Large Water District in August 2003.