Water rates to go up or down depending on service provider

The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) has approved adjustments in water rates that would result in a decrease for customers of Manila Water Company Inc. but an increase for those of Maynilad Water Services Inc. in the third quarter of this year.

The MWSS on Tuesday said the adjustments would result in customers of Manila Water seeing a 2-centavo average decrease for every cubic meter (cu m) in their monthly bills, while customers of Maynilad Water would see an average 42-centavo increase per cu m.

Manila Water’s concession covers the eastern part of the metropolis—including the cities of Makati, Mandaluyong, Pasig, Pateros, San Juan, Taguig and Marikina and parts of Rizal—southeastern parts of Quezon City, Sta. Ana and San Andres in Manila, and areas of Makati east of the South Super Highway.

Maynilad—which has the larger concession area—services the rest of Manila and Quezon City, areas of Makati on the west side of South Super Highway and the cities of Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas and Malabon, and parts of Cavite.

With the rate changes, Maynilad customers billed for 10 cu m will pay P116.04; for 20 cu m, P424.62; and 30 cu m, P887.27.

Manila Water consumers billed for 10 cu m will now pay P134.25; for 20 cu m, P295.94; and 30 cu m, P602.75.

According to the MWSS, Manila Water will implement a 0.08-percent foreign currency differential adjustment (FCDA) on its prevailing average basic charge, which was P25.25 per cu m. This will result in a decrease of 13 centavos per month on FCDA charges for those consuming 10 cu m or less and not belonging to lifeline customers, in the third quarter, the MWSS said.

As for lifeline customers, classified as low-income households that consume 10 cu m or less a month, they are exempt from paying the FCDA.–Ronnel W. Domingo