THE Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) on Monday said the 2026 Standard Water Rates approved in 2022 will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026.
“We are already in the fourth tranche of the Standard Water Rates,” MWSS chief regulator Patrick Lester Ty said.
“The fifth tranche of the water rate rebasing will be implemented in 2027,” he added.
All of these were approved during the rate rebasing in 2022, he stressed.
“We make sure that these are the required programs for the CAPEX (capital expenditure) spending,” Ty noted.
The east zone Manila Water Co. will raise its rates effective January 1.
Households using 10 cubic meters of water will have their water bills increased by P29.86 per month.
Others who consume about 20 cu.m. wil face rates adjustments by by P66.25 a month, while consumers with 30 cu.m. readings will have rate hikes of P135.22 a month.
A customer qualified on the Manila Water’s enhanced lifeline program will see monthly rate increase of P4.24 for 10 cu.m. while others consuming 20 cu.m. will have to deal with a P12.90-per-month increase.
“We are encouraging both the Manila Water and the Maynilad Water Services Inc. to fast track their sewerage programs. They already spent P23 billion for sewerage programs since 2023,” Ty said.
The Manila Water environmental charge increased from 25 to 30 percent for its their sewerage programs to meet the environmental standards of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
“The environmental charge of Manila Water is higher than Maynilad at 30 percent,” Ty said.
“I can assure the public that it is cost-efficient so the benefits will redound to the public. I have to admit that we have to increase the number of beneficiaries in the lifeline consumers,” he noted.
He said the MWSS would not allow the two water concessionaires to impose increases without performing well.
He cited the efforts of Manila Water and Maynilad in the reduction in the number of illegal connections.
“We make sure that Maynilad and Manila Water do their sewerage projects before we allow them to increase their water rates. Because they have done their job properly, we allowed an increase of from 25% to 30% which is also an incentive for them to fast track their sewerage programs,” Ty said.
“We assure the accuracy of the water meters of Maynilad or Manila Water. These meters should be replaced once every seven years. After the meter, it’s the responsibility of the consumers. Maynilad or Manila Water has to investigate if their meters are not accurate,” he added.
He assured there will be no water crisis in 2026.
From 2023-2025, Manila Water spent P48 billion, while Maynilad spent P96 billion to ensure that their consumers would not experience water crisis.
