Metro Manila water rates will increase starting next year, the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System–Regulatory Office (MWSS-RO) said on Monday. The adjustments are meant to reflect changes in taxes and environmental charges.
MWSS-RO said the increase is justified because water concessionaires Maynilad and Manila Water have completed major projects that improve service. The regulator said it checked and audited the companies’ spending to make sure the projects were real and properly implemented.
From January to March next year, Maynilad lifeline customers using up to 10 cubic meters (cu. m.) of water a month may see their bills go up by about P1.02, while those using 20 cu. m. may pay P2.55 more. Regular residential customers using 10 cu. m. may see a P5.06 increase, 20 cu. m. users P19.06 more, and 30 cu. m. users P39.04 more.
For Manila Water customers, lifeline users consuming up to 10 cu. m. a month may see an increase of about P4.24, while those using 20 cu. m. may pay P12.90 more. Regular customers using 10 cu. m. may see their bills rise by P29.86, 20 cu. m. users by P66.25, and 30 cu. m. users by P135.22.
MWSS-RO said that from 2023 to 2025, Manila Water proposed spending P64.7 billion on improvements and has thus far spent P48.6 billion, or 75 percent of its target. Maynilad planned P96.2 billion and has spent P75.1 billion, or 78 percent of its target.
MWSS-RO chief regulator Patrick Ty said the rate increase is needed to keep both companies financially stable and able to provide reliable water service. He added that the recent improvements should help prevent a water shortage in 2026.
Maynilad serves most of western Metro Manila and parts of Cavite, while Manila Water serves the eastern part of Metro Manila and several towns in Rizal province.
