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Brix Lelis - The Philippine Star
March 14, 2026 | 12:00am
Stock image of running water from faucet
Image by Katja Just from Pixabay
MANILA, Philippines — Households in Metro Manila and nearby provinces will be greeted with higher water bills starting next month.
The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System Regulatory Office (MWSSRO) announced yesterday a rate hike of P0.04 per cubic meter for Manila Water Co. Inc. and P0.09 per cubic meter for Maynilad Water Services Inc.
This is equivalent to an increase of P0.14 in the bills of Manila Water customers consuming 10 cubic meters or less, P0.29 for those using 20 cubic meters and P0.58 for 30 cubic meters.
Maynilad customers, meanwhile, will see their bills rise by P0.27 for consumption of 10 cubic meters or less, P1 for 20 cubic meters and P2.07 for 30 cubic meters.
The rate hike follows the implementation of the foreign currency differential adjustment (FCDA) for the second quarter of 2026, based on the evaluation of the water concessionaires’ proposals.
For the April-June period, Maynilad will implement an FCDA of negative P0.13 per cubic meter, higher than the negative P0.22 in the previous quarter.
Manila Water, on the other hand, will apply an FCDA of P0.39 per cubic meter, higher than the P0.35 charged in the first quarter.
Patrick Lester Ty, MWSSRO chief regulator, said the agency remains committed to protecting consumer welfare and ensuring that water services are always “available, accessible, affordable and equitable for all.”
Manila Water serves Marikina, Pasig, Makati, Taguig, Pateros, Mandaluyong, San Juan, portions of Quezon City and Manila and several towns in Rizal.
Maynilad, chaired by Manuel V. Pangilinan, provides water services to parts of Manila, Quezon City and Makati, as well as Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas and Malabon. It also serves several cities and municipalities in Cavite.
Recently, the MWSSRO slapped a P42.57-million penalty on Maynilad for the prolonged water service interruptions in the southern portion of its franchise area last month.
The penalty translates to a refund of P432.92 per affected water service connection that will be reflected in consumer bills next month.
