Brace for Maynilad, Manila Water rate hikes

Concessionaire ordered to refund P42.5 M over water interruptions in Muntinlupa

- GABRIELL CHRISTEL GALANG

Millions of residents in Metro Manila face higher water rates starting next month as the industry regulator approved tariff hikes for both of the region's main concessionaires to account for fluctuations in foreign exchange.

The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System-Regulatory Office (MWSS-RO) announced Friday, March 13, that customers of Maynilad Water Services, Inc. and Manila Water Co. will see upward adjustments in their monthly bills starting the second quarter of 2026.

MWSS-RO said the increase was driven by the foreign currency differential adjustment, a quarterly mechanism that allows utilities to recover losses or return gains from the servicing of foreign-currency-denominated loans used for infrastructure projects.