Water rates going up this month

MANILA, Philippines — Metro Manila consumers will see higher water bills starting October following the approval of rate hikes by the Manila Water Co. and the Maynilad Water Services Inc.

The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System Regulatory Office said the MWSS Board of Trustees has approved an upward adjustment for the foreign currency differential adjustment (FCDA) for the fourth quarter of the year.

The MWSS approved Maynilad Water’s increase for the fourth quarter equivalent to P0.02 per cubic meter while that of Manila Water Co. Inc.’s is an increase of P0.17 per cu.m of its basic charge.

This means Maynilad residential customers consuming an average of 10 cu.m. or less every month will have to pay an additional P0.09 per month while those consuming 20 cu.m. will have a P0.34 increase in their water bills.

Those using more than 30 cu.m. will experience an increase of P0.70 per month.

Meanwhile, Manila Water customers who consume up to 10 cu.m. per month will have an increase of P0.93 while those consuming an average of 20 cu.m. will have an adjustment of P2.06.

Customers using 30 cu.m. will be affected by an upward adjustment of as much as P4.20 per month.

Adjusted rates for both Maynilad and Manila Water will be effective starting Oct. 13.

During the third quarter, the MWSS Board has deferred the implementation of the FCDA pending the assumption of office of the newly appointed administrator.

Initial computations showed that upward adjustment would have been P0.03 per cubic meter for west zone concessionaire Maynilad and P0.18 per cubic meter for the east zone handled by Manila Water.

FCDA is the tariff mechanism granted to utility companies to allow them to recover losses or give back gains arising from the fluctuating movements of the peso against other currencies as the concessionaires pay foreign-dominated fees as well as loans to fund projects that will improve service for their customers.

Gains and losses can arise from the payment of concession loans and foreign currency-denominated debt whose proceeds are used to improve services.

Maynilad is the largest private water concessionaire in the country in terms of customer base. It serves the areas of Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas, Malabon and certain portions of Manila, Quezon City, Makati and Cavite.

Manila Water, on the other hand, caters to the East Zone which encompasses parts of Makati, Mandaluyong, Pasig, Pateros, San Juan, Taguig, Marikina, most parts of Quezon City, portions of Manila, as well as several towns in Rizal.