Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 30) – Consumers in Metro Manila will see their water bills rise starting October following the approval of rate hikes sought by the Manila Water Company and the Maynilad Water Services, Inc.
In a statement, the board of trustees of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) announced its approval of foreign currency differential adjustments for water rates covering the fourth quarter.
Manila Water, which supplies the east zone of Metro Manila, will implement a ₱0.69 per cubic meter (cu.m.) increase, equivalent to 2.43 percent of its average basic charge set at ₱28.52/cu.m. This is higher than the ₱0.52 per cu.m. increase which took effect from July-September.
Those consuming 10 cu.m. or less would see their monthly bill add ₱0.93 per month, while those using 20 cu.m. and 30 cu.m. in a month will see an increase of ₱2.06 and ₱4.20, respectively, according to the Ayala-led concessionaire.
Meanwhile, Maynilad customers will see a ₱0.13 per cubic meter increase in their dues, or negative 0.35 percent of its average basic charge of ₱36.24/cu.m. Those using less than 10 cubic meters will add ₱0.09 on their monthly dues, those consuming 20 cubic meters will spend ₱0.34 more, while those billed with 30 cubic meters in a month will spend ₱0.70/cu.m, the MWSS said.
READ: Maynilad announces water supply interruptions in five cities from September 27 to October 7
All petitions for water rate increases need to be approved by the MWSS, which are often done on a quarterly basis. The latest adjustments provide for fluctuations in the peso-dollar exchange rate, which affects the water firms by way of their concession loans and foreign debts used for their operations.
In August, The Supreme Court ordered Manila Water and Maynilad to pay a fine worth nearly ₱1 billion each for failing to put up sewage systems in their service areas 10 years ago. The two firms have also been penalized for service interruptions in their respective markets earlier this year.
