MANILA, Philippines — Concessionaires Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water Co. Inc. will not implement the mandatory water rate hike for next year as they seek to make the COVID-19 pandemic more manageable for consumers in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
In separate statements yesterday, Maynilad and Manila Water said they will forego the rate increases they are qualified to implement by 2021 as approved by the government.
The concessionaires were referring to the third tranche of the rate rebasing as well as the mandated consumer price index (CPI) inflation increase for 2021.
For Maynilad, this means that the P1.95 per cubic meter increase under the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System Regulatory Office (MWSS-RO)-approved adjustment in the basic charge will not be implemented.
The CPI adjustment, which is 2.7 percent of the basic charge and is equivalent to an additional P1.03 per cubic meter, will also be deferred.
For Manila Water, an additional P2 per cubic meter will not be imposed.
“With this deferral, Maynilad hopes to alleviate the day-to-day struggles of our customers as they and the whole country strive to recover from adversity,” Maynilad said.
“During these difficult times, when no one is spared from the economic impact of the pandemic, Maynilad is one with the government in finding ways to help our countrymen make the situation more manageable,” it added.
“This is in the spirit of bayanihan and to alleviate the plight of our customers due to the pandemic,” Manila Water said.
This is the second time that Maynilad and Manila Water are deferring the implementation of the rate rebasing.
The second tranche of rate hike, supposed to be imposed last January, was put off following backlash from President Duterte over their contracts.