Customers of both Manila Water Company Inc. and Maynilad Water Services Inc. are set for an uptick in their water bills starting this October following the approval of updated quarterly foreign currency differential adjustments (FCDA) by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS).
East zone operator Manila Water will implement a rate hike of P0.08 per cubic meter, taking its total FCDA rate to P0.46. The new calculation directly impacts household billing depending on volume tier, translating to an added P0.34 monthly for customers consuming 10 cubic meters or less, P0.75 for those using 20 cubic meters and P1.53 for those consuming 30 cubic meters.
The Razon-driven concessionaire manages exclusive water and wastewater operations across the east franchise of the MWSS, serving 23 local government units across Metro Manila and Rizal province. Its reach includes key urban locations such as Taguig, Makati, Pasig, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Marikina, Pateros and portions of Manila and Quezon City. In Rizal, its coverage spans Antipolo along with the towns of Cainta, Taytay, Binangonan, Angono, Rodriguez, San Mateo, Baras, Cardona, Jalajala, Morong, Pililia, Tanay and Teresa.
Concurrently, west zone provider Maynilad will apply an average rate bump of P0.24 per cubic meter. For Maynilad consumers, the revised monthly billing shifts will reflect as an added P0.67 monthly for households consuming 10 cubic meters or less, P2.54 for those using 20 cubic meters and P5.19 for those consuming 30 cubic meters.
Maynilad maintains operational control over the western sector, supplying water to Las Piñas, Malabon, Caloocan, Navotas, Parañaque, Pasay, Valenzuela, Muntinlupa and specific zones in Manila, Makati, and Quezon City. Its coverage also extends into Cavite province, reaching the cities of Imus, Bacoor, and Cavite, alongside the municipalities of Noveleta, Kawit, and Rosario.
The quarterly FCDA framework functions to insulate utility operators from market volatility by balancing out financial swings caused by foreign exchange fluctuations on loans designated for system upgrades and network expansion.
Speaking on the regulatory action, MWSS chief regulator Patrick Lester Ty detailed the function of the recurring revision.
“It is a corrective mechanism formulated by the MWSS RO to avoid under-recovery or over-recovery caused by forex movements,” MWSS chief regulator Patrick Lester Ty said in a statement.
The rate adjustments coincide with persistent depreciation of the Philippine peso against the US dollar. The domestic currency has touched 23 fresh record lows throughout the year, recently hitting P62.625:$1 on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. Because both utility firms service foreign-currency-denominated debt obligations to fund infrastructure programs, exchange rate fluctuations directly bear upon operational costs.
With MWSS approval finalized, the updated FCDA tariffs will reflect on October billing statements and remain active through the fourth quarter of 2026.