Metro Manila residents will face higher water rates starting next year, as the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System-Regulatory Office (MWSS-RO) adjusts tariffs to reflect changes in tax rates, environmental charges, and foreign currency differential.
Maynilad customers, including lifeline users consuming 10 cubic meters per month or less, will see a P10.56 increase in their monthly bills. Regular residential customers will face a P20.08 hike for 10 cu.m. a month, while those using 20 cu.m. and 30 cu.m. will see increases of P75.89 and P155.32, respectively. Manila Water’s customers will experience smaller adjustments, with lifeline users seeing a P2.87 increase, and regular customers facing P24.68 for 10 cu.m., P54.79 for 20 cu.m., and P111.83 for 30 cu.m.
MWSS-RO defended the rate adjustments, emphasizing the importance of ongoing investments in water infrastructure to ensure service reliability. “If water providers stop investing, especially in new water sources and pipe replacements, low-income households could face supply shortages,” said MWSS-RO chief regulator Patrick Ty. He also highlighted the importance of monitoring capital expenditure (capex) to ensure that water companies are spending adequately on infrastructure.
Maynilad and Manila Water have committed to investing up to P344 billion in infrastructure projects from 2023 to 2027.
