Maynilad, Manila Water set rate hike for 2026

MANILA, Philippines, December 15 ------ The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System Regulatory Office (MWSS-RO) will announce water rate hikes for Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water Company Inc. Taking effect in the first quarter of 2026, the rate adjustments are based on the foreign currency differential adjustment (FCDA), an official of the MWSS-RO said.

The FCDA reflects gains or losses from foreign exchange fluctuations as water concessionaires repay loans in dollars or other foreign currencies. It also includes rate rebasing tranches, which are periodic adjustments that account for changes in the concessionaires’ operating costs, investments in infrastructure and overall service obligations. “But it will go up. The data is still being prepared for the press conference,” the MWSS official said.

In September, the water utility regulator allowed Maynilad to increase its rates by 14 centavos per cubic meter in the last quarter of the year. In contrast, Manila Water’s rates were cut by 15 centavos per cubic meter. With the increase in water rates, the MWSS-RO recently urged eligible households to apply for Maynilad and Manila Water’s Enhanced Lifeline Program.

The ELP, rolled out in January, covers beneficiaries of the conditional cash transfer Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps. Beneficiaries of 4Ps and other qualified customers consuming up to 20 cubic meters of water per month will be granted exemption from FCDA charges and access to reduced water rates.

Maynilad, controlled by Metro Pacific Investments Corp., serves Metro Manila’s west zone: Manila, Quezon City (west of San Juan River), Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela, Parañaque, Las Piñas and Muntinlupa as well as parts of Cavite. Manila Water, now controlled by business magnate Enrique Razon through Trident Water Holdings, supplies the east zone, which includes Mandaluyong, Marikina, Pasig, Pateros, Taguig, San Juan, most of Quezon City and several towns in Rizal.

Source: philstar.com