Maynilad to hike rates starting January

MANILA, Philippines - Effective Jan. 1, West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc. (Maynilad) will adjust water rates.

The increase is equivalent to P2.49 or 8.18 percent of the P30.43/cu.m. average basic charge for this year.

However, Maynilad agreed to grant a one-time tariff reduction of P1/cu.m. to all its customers to lessen the impact of the adjustment on its customers.

This means Maynilad lifeline residential customers or those who consume 10 cu.m. or less of water a month, and are not connected to the company’s sewer line will pay only P107.18, instead of P117.18.

Unsewered, residential customers who consume 30 cu.m. of water a month will pay only P802.42, instead of P832.42. Nearly 70 percent of Maynilad customers consumer 30 cu.m. and below of water.

The one-time tariff reduction will be implemented in response to the appeal of the government, through the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), to mitigate the impact of the basic rate adjustment on consumers.

“Finding the means to implement this one-time discount will not be easy. We would have to meet our 2012 service level obligations using a reduced budget,” said Maynilad president and CEO Victorico Vargas. “But we have always operated under challenging conditions, and we are committed to making this public-private partnership work. We are confident that with the support of the government, our customers, and other stakeholders, we can achieve what we have set out to do.”

Maynilad serves the cities of Manila (all but portions of San Andress and Sta. Ana), Quezon City (west of San Juan River, West Avenue, EDSA, Congressional, Mindanao Avenue, the northern part starting from the Districts of the Holy Spirit and Batasan Hills), Makati (west of South Super Highway), Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas and Malabon all in Metro Manila; Cavite City, and the towns of Bacoor, Imus, Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario, all in Cavite.