Maynilad, Manila Water customers brace for water rate hike in January

Customers of concessionaires Manila Water and Maynilad are bracing for the increase in water rates this January.

According to Sandra Aguinaldo’s report on “24 Oras", the water rate increases were approved by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) Board in November 2022.

A P8.04 per cubic meter rate hike will be implemented for Manila Water consumers while aP3.29 per cubic meter rate hike will be for Maynilad consumers.

According to the MWSS, this is part of the rate rebasing adjustments that will be implemented from 2023 to 2027.

“Ito po kasi ay mga projects na naadvance nila at ginagastusan pa po nila tuloy tuloy po yan at kailangan din po nila marecover yan so kaya nga po inapprove natin yung projects to ensure that the service will be improved,” Atty. Patrick Lester Ty, chief regulator of MWSS regulatory office, said.

Car wash owner Lito Lucila wants that the rate hike be deferred.

“Bumabangon pa lang tayo tapos yan na naman nakaamba pagtaas ng tubig,” Lucila said.

“If we keep on delaying this lalaki at lalaki po ito kasi ito pong deferral nagaaccumulate. Paghindi po makuha ito ay idedelay po nila yung mga ibang proyekto kasi hindi po nila kayang iadvance ito,” Ty said.

Eatery owner Melissa Binondo said she would have to conserve more water.

“Imbes na yung magiging tubo ko ibabayad ko pa sa expenses para sa water bill di ba,” Binondo said. —Richa Noriega/NB, GMA Integrated News