Low-income households in socialized housing communities are set to receive long-awaited relief on their monthly water bills on account of a new partnership forged under the Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program.
The Social Housing Finance Corp. (SHFC) and the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System–Regulatory Office (MWSS-RO) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on December 5 in Makati City, establishing a coordinated effort to roll out water bill discounts for eligible families in both the East Zone (Manila Water) and West Zone (Maynilad) service areas.
Central to the agreement is the Enhanced Lifeline Program (ELP), a government-supported subsidy that reduces the Basic Charge on water bills for low-income consumers using 20 cubic meters or less per month. SHFC beneficiaries must present a Certification of Low Income and meet the program’s enrollment requirements to qualify.
Under the MOU, SHFC will identify and certify communities within the concession zones, prioritizing those with ongoing bulk water applications for quicker ELP inclusion. The agency will compile beneficiary lists and ensure that only qualified households are endorsed.
MWSS-RO will work closely with the two water concessionaires to fast-track the enrollment of SHFC-certified beneficiaries. Serving as the primary link between SHFC and the providers, the regulatory office will manage coordination, address application issues, and supply all necessary forms and guidelines to facilitate smooth processing.
SHFC President and CEO Federico Laxa and MWSS-RO Chief Regulator Patrick Lester Ty formalized the partnership, describing it as a concrete move to ease the financial strain on vulnerable families and advance the 4PH’s goal of delivering affordable, reliable basic services to low-income communities.
