Manila Water, Maynilad to hike water rates Wed.

Water concessionaires Manila Water and Maynilad Water Services Inc., will raise their rates starting Wednesday. QTV’s Balitanghali reported that Manila Water customers who consume 10 cubic meters a month will experience a P1-increase in water rates to P72.45 from P71.08. Those who consume 30 cubic meters a month, on the other hand, will be charged P58 more to P543 from P485.
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV Meanwhile, consumers of 10 cubic meters a month for Maynilad will pay P2 more to P106 from P104. Customers who consume 30 cubic meters a month will experience a P61 increase in water charges to P744 from P683. Water bills will reflect the increase after a month. Balitanghali reported that both water concessionaires had long scheduled the price hike. Manila Water’s corporate communications manager, Jeric Sevilla, said the higher rates are part of the P11 price increase approved in 2008, which the company is implementing gradually within five years. In an interview with GMA News on Feb. 1, Water for People Network coordinator Arnold Padilla said a water price hike is ill-timed, considering that prices of other basic goods and services are rising as well. Manila Water and Maynilad said that consumers will get their money’s worth by means of improved services, Balitanghali reported. — With Paterno Esmaquel II/VS, GMA News