Maynilad and Manila Water rates to increase on Oct. 1
Key Takeaways
- •Manila Water’s tariff will rise by P0.08 per cubic meter, and Maynilad’s will increase by P0.24 per cubic meter.
- •Manila Water customers consuming up to 10, 20, and 30 cubic meters monthly will pay an additional P0.34, P0.75, and P1.53, respectively.
- •Maynilad customers using up to 10, 20, and 30 cubic meters monthly will see bill increases of P0.67, P2.54, and P5.19, respectively.
- •The adjustments were approved under the foreign currency differential adjustment mechanism, which reflects peso movements against foreign currencies.
- •Eligible low-income households covered by the utilities’ enhanced lifeline programs will experience a smaller impact.
By Sheldeen Joy Talavera, Reporter
Customers of Maynilad Water Services, Inc. and Manila Water Co., Inc. will pay slightly higher water bills starting Oct. 1 after the regulator approved quarterly tariff adjustments linked to foreign exchange movements.
The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System Regulatory Office (MWSS RO) approved an increase of P0.08 per cubic meter (cu.m.) for Manila Water and P0.24 per cu.m. for Maynilad, the agency said in a statement on Friday.
For Manila Water customers in the east zone, monthly bills will rise by P0.34 for households consuming 10 cu.m. or less. Customers consuming up to 20 cu.m. and 30 cu.m. will pay an additional P0.75 and P1.53, respectively.
Maynilad customers in the west zone consuming 10 cu.m. or less will see their monthly bills increase by P0.67. Those consuming up to 20 cu.m. and 30 cu.m. will pay an additional P2.54 and P5.19, respectively.
The tariff increases will have a smaller impact on low-income households covered by the enhanced lifeline programs of Manila Water and Maynilad.
The adjustments were approved under the foreign currency differential adjustment (FCDA), a tariff mechanism that allows water concessionaires to recover losses or return gains resulting from movements in the peso against foreign currencies. Since the adjustment is applied per cubic meter, the effect on each household’s bill will depend in part on its water consumption.
Manila Water serves Metro Manila’s east zone, including parts of Marikina, Pasig, Makati, Taguig, Pateros, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Quezon City and Manila, as well as several towns in Rizal province.
Maynilad serves parts of Manila, Quezon City and Makati, along with Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas and Malabon. It also supplies water to Cavite City, Bacoor and Imus, and to the Cavite towns of Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario.
Metro Pacific Investments Corp., Maynilad’s majority owner, is one of three Philippine units of Hong Kong-based First Pacific Co. Ltd., together with Philex Mining Corp. and PLDT Inc.
Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has an interest in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls.
Source: BusinessWorld
