Manila Water, Maynilad rate hike in 2023 approved

Customers of Manila Water Company Inc and Maynilad Water Services Inc costumers can expect higher water bills starting in 2023 after the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) approves the rate increase requested by the two water concessionaires.

In a statement this Thursday, MWSS-Regulatory Office chief regulator Patrick Ty said that the agency approved the rate rebasing adjustments of the two companies to be implemented from 2023 to 2027.

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Rate rebasing is a process carried out every fifth year to review the level of charges in water and sewerage services that water concessionaires need to recover their operating expenses and service improvements.

Manila Water has charged a high rate of P8.04 per cubic meter of water starting in 2023, P5 per cubic meter in 2024, P3.25 per cubic meter in 2025, P1.91 to P3.00 per cubic meter in 2026, and between P1.05 and P1.08 per cubic meter in 2027.

It is said that Manila Water’s rate adjustment is intended to finance its P180-billion operational requirements in the next five years.

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Meanwhile, Maynilad asked for a P3.29 per cubic meter water rate adjustment starting January 2023.

Manila Water, Maynilad rate hike in 2023 approved

In the following years, Maynilad proposed a P6.26 increase in 2024, P2.12 in 2025, and P0.84 to more than P1 from 2026 to 2027.

Maynilad said such rate adjustment would be allocated for the P150-billion expansion plan to be implemented within the next five years.

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According to Ty, the NWSS approved the request after a series of “public consultation drives” conducted from July to October this year.

“These rate adjustments will enable Manila Water and Maynilad to provide the highest quality of water, sanitation, and sewerage services that their customers deserve. These include the development of additional water sources that will ensure continuous improvements in the supply of safe drinking water as well as the expansion of environmentally safe wastewater services within the concession areas,” said the official.

“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.

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