After it was revealed one Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa) board member, namely, Dave Villanueva, attended the recent public hearing regarding the planned increases to meter repair and maintenance fees, which are scheduled to go up by P15 this month, watchdog group Water Watch Advocates (WWA) expressed concern over the apparent lack of attention to the matter.

WWA Secretary-General Wennie Sancho added, copies of Board Resolution No. 009, which implements the hikes, were not distributed.

The group previously demanded an explanation in order for the public to be “fully informed,” suggesting the discussion be done through a general assembly. They also pointed out, if there are changes to charges due to implementation of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law, consumers should also be informed.

Sancho noted, City Councilor Dindo Ramos, who chairs the committee on energy, advised Baciwa to defer the fee increases until a legal basis is determined./DGB, WDJ