Sangguniang Bayan lifts suspension of water rates hike

The Sangguniang Bayan recently passed a resolution lifting the suspension for the increase of the water rates as stated in the 2010 Revised Revenue Code. This means that water tariff for residential will increase from 35 pesos to 80 pesos and commercial from 50 pesos to 120 pesos for the first 10 cubic meters.
The previous administration suspended the implementation of the water rates hike pending the complete rehabilitation of the water system.

The Sangguniang Bayan acceded to the request of Mayor Rocky Ilagan to lift the suspension which will increase the revenue of the water system, an economic enterprise of the municipality.
However, Councilor Joemer Sandoval said that the implementation of the new water rates will be done only after the end of the present state of calamity. He said that no increase can be implemented if the municipality is still under a state of calamity.
Aside from the lifting of the state of calamity, the Sangguniang Bayan is asking for a resolution from the Association of Barangay Chaipersons (ABC) certifying that all the barangays have strong water supply and that the waterworks office has completed the major projects to improve the watersystem prior to the implementation of the increase in water rates.
Councilor Sandoval also said that even if the increase is applied Puerto Galera will still have the lowest water rates compared to all the towns in Oriental Mindoro.