No tariff adjustment on water bills starting next month

MANILA, Philippines — There will be no new tariff adjustment on water bills starting next month.

The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System-Regulatory Office said the MWSS Board of Trustees has approved its recommendation to retain the prevailing foreign currency differential adjustment (FCDA) for both concessionaires.

This means that the second quarter FCDA will still be implemented for the July to September period.

Maynilad Water Services Inc.’s increase is equivalent to P0.05 per cubic meter, while that of Manila Water Co. Inc. is a decrease of P0.21 per cu.m. of its basic charge.

Manila Water customers who consume up to 10 cu.m. per month will still have a decrease of P1.11, while those consuming an average of 20 cu.m. will have a downward adjustment of P2.46.

Customers using over 30 cu.m. will still be affected by downward adjustment of as much as P5.02 per month.

Meanwhile, Maynilad residential customers consuming an average of 10 cu.m. or less every month will still have to pay an additional P0.18 per month, while those consuming 20 cu.m. will have a P0.69 increase in their water bills.

Those using more than 30 cu.m. will still experience an increase of P1.40 per month.

Adjusted rates for both Maynilad and Manila Water will be effective starting July 1.

FCDA is the tariff mechanism granted to utility companies to allow them to recover losses or give back gains arising from the fluctuating movements of the peso against other currencies as the concessionaires pay foreign-dominated fees, as well as loans to fund projects that will improve service for their customers.

Gains and losses can arise from the payment of concession loans and foreign currency-denominated debt whose proceeds are used to improve services.

Maynilad is the largest private water concessionaire in the country in terms of customer base. It serves the areas of Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas, Malabon, and certain portions of Manila, Quezon City, Makati and Cavite.

Manila Water, on the other hand, caters to the east zone which encompasses parts of Makati, Mandaluyong, Pasig, Pateros, San Juan, Taguig, Marikina, most parts of Quezon City, portions of Manila, as well as several towns in Rizal.