CEBU CITY – Rising fuel costs have caused Metro Cebu Water District’s (MCWD) operational expenses to increase.

Despite this, the water agency assured that it will not pass on additional charges to consumers, at least for now.

MCWD General Manager DX Lapid told reporters that the water district is still capable of absorbing higher fuel and power expenses that affect daily operations.

“For now, the water district can still shoulder it,” Lapid said.

A memorandum issued by Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) allows water districts to impose additional charges if power costs become unsustainable but Lapid said implementing such adjustments is neither simple nor immediate.

He said any rate increase would require public hearings and approval processes.

To cushion the impact of rising operational expenses, MCWD has implemented cost-cutting measures, particularly in managing three wells relying on generator sets.

Lapid said when he assumed office on March 16, there were still three major wells operating on diesel-powered generators, each consuming 16,000 liters of fuel a month.

The three wells supplied water to an entire community.

To reduce the use of diesel, MCWD moved to transition two wells to main power sources, Lapid said.

One well remains on a generator but efforts to connect it to the distribution utility is underway.

Limiting travel and strictly monitoring vehicle use are also among the cost-cutting measures that have been enforced, Lapid added.

Last April 1, MCWD has started implementing a 10 percent supplemental water rate adjustment approved earlier by LWUA.

Under the new rates, the minimum charge for residential connections with a 1/2-inch meter is now P259.16, while higher-capacity connections, such as one-inch meters, are charged P829.31.

Commodity charges are set at P28.64 per cubic meter for consumption between 11 to 20 cubic meters, P33.71 for 21 to 30 cubic meters, and P82.52 for usage beyond 30 cubic meters.