Manila Water pioneers power shift outside Metro Manila

Laguna Water and Laguna Aquatech Resources Corp. (LARC), two operating units of the Razon-led Manila Water in the Province of Laguna, have become the first water utilities outside Metro Manila to join the Energy Regulatory Commission’s (ERC) Retail Aggregation Program (RAP).

Manila Water said Thursday that Laguna Water will transition 67 facilities with a total power demand of 4.3 megawatts, while LARC will shift 25 facilities with a combined demand of 900 kilowatts.

Both companies will now source their electricity from PrimeRES Energy, distributed through Meralco.

The move is expected to reduce electricity costs — a component of water production expenses — and help keep water services affordable while supporting infrastructure and sustainability initiatives.

“It’s inspiring to see RAP expanding beyond Metro Manila. With Laguna Water and LARC following in the footsteps of Manila Water and making the switch, we’re taking another step toward a more competitive and consumer-driven power sector,” ERC Chairperson and CEO Atty. Monalisa Dimalanta said.

Under the RAP, consumers are allowed to pool electricity demand and negotiate with suppliers for more competitive rates.

Manila Water President and CEO Jocot De Dios, on the other hand, said the savings from the shift will be reinvested in improving operations, expanding infrastructure, and advancing sustainability efforts.

“To our regulators, to our stakeholders that we are working tirelessly to try to improve operations and empower being what it is. Power, if you deal with it responsibly, you can work around it and make your operations good,” De Dios said.

Laguna Water is a joint venture between Manila Water Philippine Ventures and the Provincial Government of Laguna, providing water, wastewater, and environmental services to towns and residential developments across the province.

LARC, meanwhile, is a joint venture between MWPV and the Laguna Water District, serving municipalities including Los Baños, Bay, and Calauan.