‘Hidden hikes’ in water bills additional burden on public

HIGHER WATER RATES Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes has urged the public to take a closer look at their water bills this month. —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

The militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) has assailed the approval by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) of “hidden increases” in the water bills of the country’s two major water suppliers—Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water Co. Inc.

“This is another additional burden for consumers,” Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr. said on Thursday. The water rate hike approved by the MWSS in October took effect this month.

According to Reyes, Maynilad was granted a P5.73 per cubic meter rate increase spread over five years while Manila Water was granted a P6.26 per cbm rate hike also spread over five years.

“However, what was not fully disclosed to consumers during public consultations is that any increase in basic charges will also result in an increase in environmental and sewerage charges,” he said.

Reyes added that the “hidden increases” were not properly explained in the matrix released by MWSS. It compared only the old basic rates to the new rates but failed to explain to consumers that environmental and sewerage charges also went up as a result.

Undiscussed issues

“These issues were not even addressed during the so-called public consultations with consumers, as consultations were only focused on the rate rebasing,” Reyes said.

“This is an injustice to consumers, who have a right to know where their money is going and why,” he added as he urged the public to take a closer look at their November water bills to see the changes.  —DELFIN T. MALLARI JR.