MANILA, Philippines — Manila Water Co. Inc., the water concessionaire
for the eastern zone of Metro Manila and nearby areas, proposes to
raise its rates next year, saying an increase is necessary to cover
capital expenses over the next 15 years.
In a public consultation Friday, company president Antonino Aquino
said the investments totaling P117 billion would ensure 24-hour supply
of potable water to the growing population in its concession area.
The proposed “indicative” average all-in tariff has been initially set
at P34.04 a cubic meter, which Manila Water plans to charge from 2008
to 2012.
Average all-in tariff is the mean of all the tariffs plus add-on costs
related to Manila Water?s four customer types: residential,
semi-business, commercial and industrial.
The current average all-in tariff is P20.54 a cubic meter.
Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System-Regulatory Office chief
Alberto Agra said Friday that the proposed ?indicative? tariff was a
working figure and could change after the public consultations.
Agra said the tariff increase would translate to an average increase
of P187 in the monthly bill of residents consuming 30 cubic meters,
reflecting an increase of P6.20 in the daily rate.
If the current bill is P333 for residents with a 30-cubic-meter
consumption, the bill would increase to P520 starting next year.
Final tariff adjustments are to be released to the public by Dec. 16,
to enable Manila Water to make the increase on Jan. 1, 2008.
In his presentation, Aquino said the tariff increase was needed to
ensure reliability of the supply of water to the eastern zone and to
enable an expansion of services in the next 15 years.
"Manila Water must prepare for the increase of population, effects of
natural calamities and compliance with the Clean Water Act," he said.
?To do so, major investments are needed to ensure a 24-hour water
supply.
These investments include finding new water sources aside from Angat
Dam in Bulacan province from where Metro Manila gets 97 percent of its
water supply; continuous repair, rehabilitation and laying down of
pipelines to avoid leaks; and expansion of Manila Water?s wastewater
program, he said.
He said the company was currently aggressively expanding service to
reach fringe areas of Taguig, Antipolo, San Mateo, Rodriguez, Cainta,
Taytay and Angono.
Water supply projects have started in the towns of Baras, Binangonan
and Jalajala in Rizal province, he added.
Further service improvement and rehabilitation projects are also being
done in areas with 100-percent water coverage, which include the
southeastern part of Quezon City, Mandaluyong City, San Juan, Marikina
City, Pasig City, Pateros, the San Andres and Sta. Ana areas of Manila
and the portion of Makati City east of the South Super Highway Aquino
said.
To help protect the environment, Manila Water is expanding its
wastewater operations and sanitation services all over the east
concession area and was now building septic treatment plants in San
Mateo town in Rizal, Pinugay in Antipolo City and Food Terminal
Complex in Taguig City, he added.