Maynilad, Manila Water to hike rates

MANILA, Philippines — Water rates will go up this summer as the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) approved its concessionaires’ implementation of an increase in their foreign currency differential adjustment (FCDA) to recover foreign exchange losses incurred in the previous months.

 

West zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc.’s FCDA adjustment is equivalent to P0.13 per cubic meters (cu.m.) while Manila Water Co. Inc.’s adjustment is equivalent to P0.44 per cu. m.

 

This means that Maynilad customers consuming an average of 10 cu.m. or less every month will experience an increase of P2.60 per month while those consuming 20 cu.m. will have their water bill increased by P9.67.

 

Those using more than 30 cu.m. will experience an impact of P20.09 increase per month.

 

RELATED: PAGASA: Dry 'summer' season begins

 

Meanwhile, Manila Water customers who consume up to 10 cu.m. per month will have an increase of P1.91 while those consuming an average of 20 cu.m. will have an adjustment of P4.19

 

Customers using 30 cu.m. will be affected by an upward adjustment of as much as P8.60 per month.

 

While the rate hike has been approved in essence, the two concessionaires are yet to receive the final resolutions.

 

“As of this time, we don’t have the resolutions yet and official transmittal from MWSS,” Manila Water spokesperson Jeric Sevilla said in a text message.

 

FCDA is the tariff mechanism granted to utility companies to allow it 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 its customers.

 

Despite the expected increase in rates, both concessionaires maintained that there is no expected water supply shortage, particularly in Metro Manila despite the coming summer season as the current water status remains at a stable level.

 

 

Water in Angat Dam remains to be at a comfortable level and will not trigger any supply shortage in the next few months.

 

Around 95 percent of Metro Manila's water supply comes from the Angat Dam, which discharges water at the rate of 40 cu. m. per second and is coursed through tunnels toward the two distributors.

 

"Using that as an indication, our outlook for the summer months would be better so we don’t see any tightness or shortage of supply," Manila Water said.

 

"If we go by the level of Angat, this year is much better,” it added.

 

Last summer, the country reeled from the effects of the  El Niño phenomenon which affected water supply not just in Metro Manila.

 

 

However, Manila Water clarified that the water supply outlook might change should the summer season becomes longer or should the rainy season comes in late.

 

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.