THE new year may bring higher water bills for many.
Customers of Manila Water Company, Inc. and Maynilad Services, Inc. may need to shell out additional pesos for their monthly water bills after the government regulator approved the rate hike petitions of the two concessionaires.
Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System-Regulatory Office chief regulator Patrick Ty said Thursday that the approved rate rebasing adjustments for both concessionaires will start in 2023 and continue up to 2027.
Ty said the upward adjustment was approved after a series of public consultations from July to October.
“These rate adjustments will enable Manila Water and Maynilad to provide the highest quality of water, sanitation, and sewerage services that their customers deserve,” Ty said.
“The Office assures the public that it remains relentless in protecting their interest and welfare and that it is committed to upholding transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in governance,” he added
Manila Water sought a per cubic meter water rate increase of P8.04 starting next year, P5 per cubic meter in 2024, P3.25 per cubic meter in 2025, P1.91 up to P3.00 per cubic meter in 2026, and between P1.05 and P1.08 per cubic meter come 2027.
The rate hike will fund its P180-billion operational requirements in the next five years.
As such, households in the east zone consuming 10 cubic meters of water a month should expect their water bills to increase to P192.42 from the current P151.23. Those consuming 20 cubic meters and 30 cubic meters should brace for P425 and P866.03 increase in their bills, respectively, from P333.47 and P679.02.
Meanwhile, Maynilad said it sought a P3.29 per cubic meter water rate increase starting in January. For the succeeding years, Maynilad proposed a P6.26 increase in 2024, a P2.12 hike in 2025, and a P0.84 up to over P1 increment from 2026 to 2027.
The proceeds from the adjustment will be allocated for its P150-billion expansion plan in five years.
Beginning next year, households consuming 10 cubic meters monthly will see their monthly bills increase to P135.70 from P130.42. On the other hand, those consuming 20 cubic meters and 30 cubic meters should expect their bills to rise to P509.11 and P1,39.64, respectively, from P488.82 and P997.93.
The rate rebasing exercise is held every five years, under the concession agreement of the MWSS with the water concessionaires. It sets the water rates to allow concessionaires to recover their expenditures.
