Go Unlimited with Magzter GOLD

Go Unlimited with Magzter GOLD

Get unlimited access to 10,000+ magazines, newspapers and Premium stories for just

$149.99
 
$74.99/Year

Try GOLD - Free

Council to probe “overpriced" water test

The Freeman

|

August 08, 2025

The Cebu City Council approved a resolution seeking for an investigation into the allegedly overpriced city's water testing scheme, and a review of the current water testing procedures.

Councilor Alvin Arcilla sponsored the resolution after receiving complaints from private and business consumers about allegedly overpriced testing fees, besides questionable testing procedures, done by a third-party laboratory.

In his resolution, Arcilla noted that under Section 67, Item (I), Chapter 18 of City Ordinance No. 69, the official rates and fees for obtaining a Sanitary Permit -including the issuance of a Certificate of Potability of Water and Potability of Ice range only from P50 to P100. These rates are supposed to be affordable and standardized, he said.

The complainants, however, claimed that the testing fees being charged to them range from P3,000 to P7,000 per establishment, said the councilor.

Arcilla said the Cebu City Health Department has its own water testing capacity. Despite this, he added, the complainants claimed they are still required to engage a third-party supplier to conduct the tests, and determine if the water is potable.

MORE STORIES FROM The Freeman

The Freeman

The Freeman

'Howie Severino Presents' podcast returns

GMA Integrated News' podcast Howie Severino Presents, hosted by award-winning journalist Howie Severino, returns with a new three-part special series titled “Online Invasion: The Secret Battle for Hearts, Minds, and Headlines.”

time to read

1 min

October 31, 2025

The Freeman

DILG directs infra audits among LGUs

As part of efforts to bolster preparedness for disasters, Local Government Units (LGUs) have been called upon by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to conduct comprehensive infrastructure audits on both public and private buildings within their jurisdictions.

time to read

1 mins

October 31, 2025

The Freeman

BSP sees inflation at 1.4-2.2% in October

Headline inflation may have eased year on year in October despite elevated prices of selected commodities and the peso’s recent weak performance, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said.

time to read

1 min

October 31, 2025

The Freeman

Council to gather over heavy equipment 'pull out' dispute

After being caught in a tense discussion, the Cebu City Council called for an executive session to thoroughly discuss the timeline and the circumstances behind the recall of three heavy equipment in Barangay Mabini, which had once been the subject of a dispute between Councilor Pastor Alcover and Mayor Nestor Archival. The executive session is set on Nov. 4.

time to read

2 mins

October 31, 2025

The Freeman

Suspect in slay of CIDG officer now in Cebu police custody

Central Visayas Police Regional Director, P/Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan, said Manto fled to Metro Manila, after the incident, as there was a region-wide manhunt against him.

time to read

4 mins

October 31, 2025

The Freeman

Care, hospital visit ordinance for same-sex partners pushed

A legislator in Cebu City has filed an ordinance recognizing the right to care and hospital visitation rights of same-sex partners in hospitals and facilities within the city. It also aims to ensure their participation in decision-making in the absence of relatives.

time to read

2 mins

October 31, 2025

The Freeman

Springdale booters secure another crown

The PAREF Springdale Titans Team A edged past the Abellana National School (ANS), 1-0, to reign supreme in the 2nd Roncales Football Cup at the Dynamic Herb-Borromeo Sports Complex recently.

time to read

1 min

October 31, 2025

The Freeman

Bring Your Dream Halloween Costume to Life

It's Halloween once again, and before all the fun you're about to have at the parties comes the stressful part: putting together an awesome and unique costume that will blow everyone away.

time to read

1 mins

October 31, 2025

The Freeman

The Freeman

ICI bares Co’s kickback scheme

Resigned lawmaker Zaldy Co’s alleged kickback scheme did not occur solely during the secretive bicameral conference committee but, according to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), started from the very beginning when the budget was proposed in the National Expenditure Program (NEP).

time to read

2 mins

October 31, 2025

The Freeman

Red-hot Jokic registers fourth straight triple-double as Nuggets rout Pelicans

Nikola Jokic bagged his fourth straight triple-double to start the NBA season to lead the Denver Nuggets to a 122-88 rout of the New Orleans Pelicans.

time to read

1 mins

October 31, 2025

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size