By Malu Cadelina Manar KIDAPAWAN CITY – A majority of the concessionaires that attended the public hearing called for by the Metro Kidapawan Water District (MKWD) urged the agency to assure them of continued water supply and quality service once the proposed water rate adjustment takes place on May this year. (FACEBOOK / MANILA BULLETIN) During the consultation, a senior citizen expressed his frustration over the dismal service provided by the water district for its failure to provide his family and his community in Poblacion 24-hour water supply. MKWD Assistant General Manager Sandy Alqueza explained to the participants that their primary reason for increasing rates was for the agency to develop potential water sources, like deep wells, spring, rivers, and streams. He admitted the agency lacked funds to pursue such plans. The series of strong quakes in October that hit parts of North Cotabato damaged almost all of the facilities of the MKWD. Alqueza estimated the damage at P82.7 million. This resulted to huge losses in their daily production, he explained. Data from MKWD showed that after the quakes, at least 85 percent of the 43.2 million liters per day of their production were lost. “We understand our concessionaires’ woes because of these quakes. But who among us would want these things to happen? No one. So, we’re asking for understanding, that’s why this adjustment can help us gain from our losses,” said Alqueza. The minimum water rates of MKWD would increase by P47.90 starting April this year or from P156.60 to P204.50 per 10 cubic meters monthly consumption. MKWD General Manager Stella Gonzales stressed they petitioned for rate adjustment after 18 years. “Our water connections are increasing at a fast pace. But we can’t expand because of limited sources,” she explained. On Monday, the MKWD started its five-day public hearing on its proposed water rate adjustment. Present during the consultation was a representative from the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA). According to MKWD legal counsel Cristopher Cabilen, the public consultation was an important requisite before the agency is allowed to increase their water rates. The consultation will be completed in at least nine clusters from different areas in Kidapawan City, Matalam, Magpet, and Makilala in North Cotabato on March 2. 25MANAR1 MKWD holds public hearing on proposed water rate adjustment; concessionaires demand quality service