Maynilad to continue low-income discounts

MANILA, Philippines - West Zone water concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc. said it would continue to offer  discounts for its low-income consumers this year.

Lifeline customers, whose consumption do not exceed 10 cubic meters (cu.m.) per month, receive a 41 percent discount off the basic water rate.

These lifeline customers constitute roughly 19 percent of Maynilad’s residential customers.

The company also reduces water service application fees for customers in blighted areas.

From a standard fee of about P8,160 including the guaranty deposit, they are only charged about P3,000 as Maynilad shoulders two-thirds of the cost for the service connection.

Senior citizens whose monthly consumption do not exceed 30 cu.m. are likewise entitled to a five percent discount from Maynilad.

Government-owned and non-profit senior citizen centers and homes, which constitute 2,786 of Maynilad’s accounts, are also given a 50 percent discount. 

Maynilad also extends preferential rates to small businesses such as home-based sari-sari stores.

These accounts pay residential charges for their first 10 cu.m. consumption, which is lower than the semi-business rate.

Maynilad said that institutions providing vital services shall only be charged the semi-business rate instead of the commercial rate. 

These include public preparatory, elementary, secondary and tertiary schools managed by local government units (LGUs); public hospitals managed and operated by LGUs; and jails (excluding detention centers within police stations and military camps).

“We are committed to providing affordable water to our customers, which is why we provide discounts and subsidies to those with modest and limited means,” said Maynilad president and chief executive officer Ricky Vargas.

Maynilad services the cities of Manila (all but portions of San Andres and Sta. Ana), Quezon City (west of San Juan River, West Ave., EDSA, Congressional, Mindanao Avenue, the northern part starting from the districts of the Holy Spirit and Batasan Hills), Makati (west of South Super Highway), Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas and Malabon-all in Metro Manila; the cities of Cavite, Bacoor and Imus, and the towns of Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario in Cavite province.