Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Consumers can expect higher prices of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and water services this April, aside from higher power rates.
Starting Friday (April 1), Solane and Petron increased their cooking LPG prices by P1.25 per kilogram. Meanwhile, Petron also increased their AutoLPG prices by P0.70 per liter.
The Department of Energy explained there was an increase in global demand for LPG in the past month, hence driving prices up.
As an effect of the LPG price hike, some bread manufacturers might review their prices in the coming months, despite announcing a reduction of Pinoy Tasty and Pinoy Pandesal prices effective two weeks from now.
Related: ERC approves power rate hike
Water rates increase
Maynilad and Manila Water customers will pay higher bills this April, due to a higher Foreign Currency Differential Adjustment (FCDA) following the depreciation of the Philippine peso.
Maynilad’s P0.12 per cubic meter adjustment is effective from April until June. Households consuming 30 cubic meters of water can expect an additional P1.17 in their monthly bill, from P885.02 to P888.19.
For Manila Water customers, there will be an increase of P0.26 per cubic meter. Households consuming 30 cubic meters of water will get an increase of P2.67 in their monthly bill, from P597.04 to P599.71.
However, lifeline or low-income residential customers consuming less than 10 cubic meters per month are exempted from the price hike.
FCDA is a tariff mechanism granted to utility companies to let them recover losses or return gains caused by the fluctuating movements of the peso against other currencies.
Water utility companies pay foreign-denominated concession loans and fees to the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) to finance improvements and service expansion projects.
CNN Philippines’ Kristine De Guzman contributed to this report
