Manila: The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) Regulatory Office confirmed the approval of rate hikes for water concessionaires Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water Company Inc., effective in October.
According to Philippines News Agency, the MWSS Board of Trustees has given the green light to the Regulatory Office's recommendation to implement the Foreign Currency Differential Adjustment (FCDA) starting in the fourth quarter of 2026, effective October 1. MWSS RO Chief Regulator Patrick Lester Ty announced the decision in a statement.
Residential customers of both water concessionaires will experience rate adjustments next month, as per the approved guidelines of MWSS. This follows a thorough validation of their proposed FCDAs. For Maynilad customers, a PHP0.67 hike will apply for those with a consumption of 10 cubic meters (cu.m.) or less. An additional rate of PHP2.54 will be imposed for 20 cu.m. consumption, and PHP5.19 for those consuming 30 cu.m. However, an exemption will be applied for members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) under the enhanced lifeline. Maynilad provides water and wastewater services to the West Concession Area.
Manila Water, serving the East Concession Area, will also implement hikes for regular rates: PHP0.34 for 10 cu.m. or less consumption; PHP0.75 for 20 cu.m.; and PHP1.53 for 30 cu.m. Manila Water has also exempted low-income households and those under the enhanced lifeline from the scheduled water rate adjustments.
The FCDA is a quarterly-reviewed tariff mechanism that allows concessionaires to recover losses or return gains arising from foreign exchange rate fluctuations. "It is a corrective mechanism formulated by the MWSS RO to avoid under-recovery or over-recovery caused by forex movements," Ty explained.
