MWSS allows Manila Water to hike rates starting Oct. 2018

Customers of East Zone concessionaire Manila Water Co. Inc. should brace for higher water bills next month as the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) granted the company’s petition for a rate adjustment.

MWSS allowed the concessionare to increase its rate by more than P6 per cubic meter to be implemented on staggered basis, Manila Water spokesperson Jeric Sevilla said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB on Thursday.

“Ang hinhingi po namin ay P8.30, pero kahapon po nagkaroon po ng public consultation at inihayag ng MWSS sa regulatory office, matapos ang kanilang pag evaluate ng ating business plan, ang kanilang ina-allow na adjustment ay mahigit anim na piso po,” Sevilla said.

He said the possible rate increase in October will be P1.60 per cubic meter. This translates to a P6 adjustment in the monthly bills of those consuming 10 cubic meters or less.

For those consuming 15 cubic meters, the P1.60 rate adjustment in October will reflect a P9 increase in their monthly bills. The adjustment also translates to a P20 increase for those consuming 20 cubic meters a month.

The adjustment scheduled in 2019 is P2 per cubic meter, with another P2 in 2020, and around P1 in 2021.

Sevilla said the rate adjustment is necessary for Manila Water to pay for projects that ensure water security and service improvements, as well as environmental programs. —Ted Cordero/VDS, GMA News