MWSS cuts Maynilad, Manila Water rates

MANILA, Philippines — Consumers will be greeted with lower water rates this summer as the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) approved a decrease in its concessionaires’ foreign currency differential adjustment (FCDA).

The MWSS Board of Trustees approved the recommendation of the MWSS-Regulatory Office (RO) for the second quarter FCDA rates of concessionaires Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water Co. Inc.

Maynilad’s average downward adjustment is equivalent to P0.07 per cubic meter while that of Manila Water is decreased by P0.31 per cu.m. of its basic charge.

The water rate rollback was mainly due to the appreciation in the average exchange rate of the peso vis-a-vis the dollar and yen.

“If the economy keeps improving, we expect further rollback. We just hope that the peso keeps on appreciating and the economy improving,” MWSS chief regulator Patrick Ty said at a briefing yesterday.

For Maynilad residential customers consuming an average of 10 cu.m. or less every month, the rate rollback will mean a decrease of P0.20 per month while those consuming 20 cu.m. will have a P0.75 decrease in their water bills. This comes after all other charges, like the environmental fee, are factored.

Those using more than 30 cu.m. will experience a decrease of P1.54 per month.

Meanwhile, Manila Water customers who consume up to 10 cu.m. per month will have a decrease of P1.21 while those consuming an average of 20 cu.m. will have a downward adjustment of P2.69.