Cebu Mayor Calls for Water Service Upgrades Amid Rate Increase
In response to the newly implemented higher water tariffs in Cebu City, Mayor Nestor Archival has strongly encouraged the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) to intensify its efforts in reducing water wastage and improving overall service delivery. The mayor emphasized that consumers must see clear and tangible improvements corresponding with their increased payments.
Focus on Non-Revenue Water Reduction
During a meeting with the MCWD board on March 31, 2026, Archival highlighted the critical importance of addressing non-revenue water (NRW). This term refers to water that has been treated and processed but is lost due to leaky pipes, illegal connections, and outdated infrastructure systems. He stressed that reducing these losses should be a priority while the rate adjustment is being enforced.
The mayor directed the utility to identify areas with the highest levels of water wastage and prioritize them for immediate repairs. Additionally, he requested a detailed report from MCWD outlining the affected locations, proposed solutions, and estimated timelines for completion.
Rate Increase Implementation and Justification
This call to action comes just days after the tariff increase took effect on April 1, where the minimum household charge rose to P259.16 from P235.60, representing an approximate 10 percent increase. Despite this, Mayor Archival expressed support for the hike, stating it is necessary to balance MCWD's financial stability.
He noted that MCWD has been selling water at a loss for an extended period, pointing out that while the agency purchases water at rates reaching P65 per cubic meter, it sells it to consumers for only P25. Archival further explained that the increase will help MCWD avoid potential bankruptcy and clarified that this price adjustment was approved long ago by the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) and is only now being implemented.
Emphasis on Accountability and Public Communication
While agreeing with the rate increase, Archival insisted that MCWD must enhance its accountability and public communication strategies. He encouraged the agency to provide clearer, data-driven explanations regarding the tariff adjustments to ensure transparency and maintain public trust.
