Almiya Water Bill Issue – FAQ (as of May 2025)
 

1. What caused the sudden increase in the water bill starting March 2025?

MCWD (Metro Cebu Water District) implemented a rate adjustment effective March 1, 2025, which was only officially received by the HOA on April 2, 2025. The new rate increased from Php 48.40 to Php 66.79 per cubic meter for consumption beyond 30 Cu.m.
 

2. Is the MCWD water rate increase legal, and by how much?
Yes. In March 2025, MCWD implemented a provisional rate adjustment resulting in an approximate 38% increase in water rates.

• This increase is lower than the initially proposed 60%, but still had a major impact on the community’s water bill.

• The new rate particularly applies to consumption beyond 30 Cu.m.

• This rate adjustment is legal and government-approved, as it was reviewed and approved by the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), the national agency responsible for overseeing water districts in the Philippines.

• the new rate structure integrates the previously separate Power Cost Adjustment (PCA) and Purchased Water Adjustment (PWA) into the base rate.
   

3. Whom can we contact for concerns about the MCWD price increase?
For questions or concerns regarding the MCWD rate adjustment, you may reach out to MCWD’s Key Accounts Officer:

Alan Robert Matbagon
📞 0918-979-3870
📧 keyaccounts@mcwd.gov.ph

He is the designated point of contact for subdivisions like Almiya and can address inquiries related to billing and rates.
 

4. Can the HOA do anything about the water rate increase?
The HOA has no authority to influence or reverse MCWD’s rate adjustments, as these are government-regulated.

However, the HOA can help reduce the total water bill by actively managing internal factors like Non-Revenue Water (NRW) — which refers to water lost due to leaks and inefficiencies.
By reducing NRW to the target level of 10% or lower, the HOA can minimize the per-cubic-meter rate charged to homeowners and improve system efficiency.

5. Are there any recent news reports about the MCWD water rate increase?

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/water-rates-revision-for-subdivisions-studied
 

6. How much was the water bill before and after the rate change?

• February 2025 billing: Around Php 188,000

• March 2025 billing: Increased to Php 370,000 (~97% increase)

• April 2025 billing: Further increased to Php 390,000 (due to higher consumption)
   

7. Why are homeowners (Vecinos) being charged Php 90.82 per cubic meter?

The Php 90.82 rate is a blended cost that covers:

1. Leak Expert manpower services

2. Electricity used in distributing water to households

3. Water loss (Non-Revenue Water or NRW) – HOA absorbs 50%, the remaining 50% is charged to homeowners
    

8. How is the water usage computed for each household?

• Minimum charge: Each household is billed for a minimum of 10 Cu.m., even with no usage.
    10 Cu.m. × Php 90.82 = Php 908.20

• Variable rate: The Php 90.82 per cubic meter is a blended rate that includes water cost, electricity, manpower, and water losses. This rate may decrease if the NRW (Non-Revenue Water) is reduced.

• Above 10 Cu.m.: Usage beyond the minimum is computed using bracketed consumption rates with standard multipliers.

• Transparency: A sample billing computation was shared by the HOA to help homeowners understand how charges are calculated.

9. What is NRW and how does it affect our water bills?

NRW (Non-Revenue Water) refers to water that is lost due to leaks, faulty pipes, or other system inefficiencies before it reaches households.

• Previously: NRW was approximately 42%, resulting in high water losses.

• After initial leak detection (Leak Expert intervention): NRW significantly dropped to 11%.

• March 2025: NRW rose again to 24%, prompting another round of leak detection and repairs.

• April 2025: Following these efforts, NRW decreased to 20.9%.

• Ongoing Target: The HOA aims to reduce NRW to at least 10% to further lower the overall water bill.

10. What is being done to lower the water bill again?

The Leak Expert team will conduct another round of leak detection in the coming weeks to bring NRW back down to 11% or lower, which will directly reduce the overall water bill.
 

11. Why didn't the HOA inform us earlier about the MCWD rate change?

The official memo from MCWD was only received on April 2, 2025, one month after the new rate took effect. The HOA relayed the update as soon as it was officially communicated.
 

12. Can the HOA do anything about the increased MCWD rate?

The HOA has no control over MCWD’s rate adjustments. However, it is taking active steps to manage internal costs (leaks, electricity, and maintenance) to minimize the impact on Vecinos.
 

13. Why can’t homeowners (Vecinos) pay directly to MCWD?

Almiya Subdivision has a bulk water account with MCWD under the name of the Homeowners Association (HOA). This means MCWD bills the entire subdivision as a single consumer. The HOA then distributes the water to individual households using its internal piping system, water meters, and pumping equipment. Because of this setup, MCWD cannot accommodate individual payments or readings from homeowners.
 

14. Do all homeowners need to pay the water bill even if the unit is vacant or unoccupied?

Yes. All lot and unit owners with active water connections are required to pay their share of the monthly water bill based on the community’s total usage, regardless of occupancy.

15. Can I temporarily disconnect my water service?
Yes. Homeowners may request a temporary disconnection by submitting a formal written request to the HOA office.

• Disconnection fee: Php 1,000

• Reconnection fee (voluntary): Php 2,000

• Reconnection fee (due to non-payment): Php 3,000
  The physical disconnection will be verified by an authorized HOA representative.
   

16. If I disconnect my water, do I still need to pay something monthly?
Yes. Even disconnected units are required to pay a minimum base charge of Php 500 per month to cover maintenance, administration, and shared system costs.

17. How long is a water disconnection valid?
A disconnection is valid for up to 12 months. After that, billing will automatically resume unless a renewal request is submitted and approved by the HOA.

18. What happens if I use water or reconnect without authorization?
Unauthorized usage or reconnection will result in:

• Immediate back-billing

• Penalty charges

• Possible suspension of HOA privileges (subject to due process)
   

19. What happens if I pay my water bill late?
A 5% monthly penalty now applies to all late water bill payments, an increase from the previous 2%. This adjustment aims to encourage timely payments and help the HOA manage community expenses more effectively.

20. Can the minimum base fee be added to my HOA dues?
Yes. For ease of billing and collection, the HOA may integrate the base water fee into monthly HOA dues.

21. Can I get an HOA clearance (for sale, lease, or transfer) without settling my water dues?

No. All water-related balances must be settled before the HOA can issue a clearance for sale, lease, or transfer of property.

22. What if I think my water meter is inaccurate?
You may request a water meter test through the HOA office. Your meter will be tested in series with a reference meter to check for discrepancies.

• Testing and labor fees apply, charged based on the HOA-accredited leak expert's rate.
   

23. What happens if my meter is faulty or clogged?
Faulty meters (e.g., those with no usage or silt build-up) must be replaced for accurate billing.

• Recommended meter: ARAD (Php 3,000)

• Labor: Additional cost through the HOA-accredited installer
  Homeowners will be notified and given a deadline to comply.
   

24. Paying Directly to MCWD: Summary of Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages (Benefits)

• Homeowners outside subdivisions are billed based on their actual individual consumption, eliminating disputes related to shared or estimated charges.

• Lower water rates because MCWD residential rates are cheaper than bulk subdivision rates, helping reduce water bills.

• Reduces HOA workload as HOA no longer manages billing, collection, or disputes—frees up resources for other priorities.

• Homeowners can coordinate directly with MCWD for billing or service concerns.

• Clear, personal billing helps households manage water expenses more accurately.

• One household’s late payment won’t affect HOA finances.
   

Disadvantages (Risk)

• High transition and installation costs (to be shouldered individually) converting to direct MCWD billing requires new service lines, meters, and construction work, which may damage sidewalks and negatively affect the aesthetic and property value—as seen in other subdivisions with visible MCWD installations.

• Water flow to each household may be affected, as the supply will come from the MCWD barangay main lines. MCWD pipes usually only reach the barangay road or subdivision entrance. The internal main lines inside Almiya remain under HOA ownership, which could lead to pressure drops depending on demand and infrastructure.

• It is unclear whether MCWD currently allows individual water service applications for households located within an existing HOA or subdivision. This needs to be reviewed and clarified.

• Loss of water system oversight as HOA loses control over internal monitoring of leaks, usage, and system issues.

• Maintenance still falls to HOA as MCWD usually handles only up to the meter—internal pipes and repairs remain HOA’s responsibility. Where can we get the budget for the aging repair of our internal water systems?

• Partial participation problems as some homeowners may delay or refuse the meter installation, leading to confusion or conflict.

• If MCWD disconnects a home, HOA can’t intervene, risking hygiene issues for the household and nearby residents.

• Any small margin from water fees currently helping the community may be lost, reducing funding for shared projects.

 

While direct payment to MCWD could simplify billing and promote accountability, it also shifts responsibility away from the HOA but leaves behind potential complications in infrastructure, maintenance, and community unity. It requires careful planning, a clear agreement with MCWD, and buy-in from all homeowners.

Before making proposals: it is important to consider the following: 

• Conduct a cost-benefit study,

• Hold a community consultation,

• Coordinate with MCWD for a technical and legal assessment.