Manila Water defers rate hike for 2021

MANILA, Philippines — East zone water concessionaire Manila Water on Wednesday announced it would defer its scheduled rate hikes in 2021 as part of its efforts to help customers burdened with the coronavirus pandemic.

In a statement on Wednesday, Manila Water said it heeds the government’s call to “mitigate the impact of the disruption of economic activity on most Filipinos” in deferring the implementation of its scheduled P2 rate adjustment for 2021.

“In the spirit of bayanihan and to help alleviate the difficulties our customers are experiencing due to the COVID-19 pandemic compounded by effects of natural calamities, Manila Water decided to defer the implementation of the scheduled Php 2.00 rate adjustment for 2021,” it said.

“The adjustment due to consumer price index (CPI) or inflation is likewise deferred for next year,” it added.

Its west counterpart, Maynilad Services Inc, earlier announced that it will defer its rate adjustments for next year, citing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on its customers’ livelihood.

Manila Water provides water and wastewater services to the eastern part of Metro Manila, particularly the cities of Mandaluyong, San Juan, Pasig, Marikina, Taguig, Pateros’ municipality, and portions of Makati, Manila and Quezon City, as well as the province of Rizal. [ac]