The Cagayan de Oro City Water District (COWD) is pushing for a 40 percent increase in water rates.

COWD said it will hold public hearings in various areas to discuss the proposal.

Dr. Gerry Caño, chairman of the COWD Board of Directors, said the agency has not implemented any increase in water rates since 2014.

Under the proposal, the current water rate of P21 per cubic meter will increase by P8.40 per cubic meter. Thus, the current minimum household rate of P218 for 10 cubic meters may go up to P294.

“Well ang ato karon kung sa empleyado pa kana murag hand to mouth ra gyud ang atong operations ug wala gyud kitay mapahamtang nga mga major nga repairs and rehabilitation sa atong mga linya. So mao kana ang atong mga leakage ang atong mga nrw nagkadako tungod kana sa ka pit-os sa atong panudlanan kay igo-igo ra,” Caño said.

The public hearing will begin in June.

Caño said the proposed increase would help fund repairs, rehabilitation, and investments for additional water sources.

“Kanang 40 pursyento mao kana ang atong ibobo sa repairs and rehabilitation ug sa ato usab gidamgo nga investment nga pwede nato mabuhat pagtukod sa atong kaugalingon nga water source dugang nga water source,” Caño added.

COWD is also bracing for the possible effects of El Niño in the city.

In April, the state weather bureau PAGASA warned that dry conditions caused by El Niño could persist until 2027.

Because of this, COWD said it is preparing measures to improve water supply by upgrading pipes and water tanks.

“Sa panawagan sa atong mga kaigsuonan katawhan konsumante nga kung pwede tun-an nato ang pagdaginot sa tubig ang pag recycle sa tubig,” Caño said.