Water rates are set to rise in early 2026, with state regulator Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) approving higher tariffs for Manila Water Company Inc. and Maynilad Water Services Inc.

At a media briefing on Monday, MWSS Regulatory Office (RO) chief regulator Atty. Patrick Lester N. Ty said Manila Water Co.’s all-in tariff per cubic meter in the East Zone will increase in the first quarter to P67.98 from P60.80 for unsewered customers, and to P85.06 from P76.67 for sewered customers.

Higher monthly water bills

This means higher monthly bills ranging from P4.24 to P135.22, depending on water consumption.

For Maynilad Water Services Inc., the all-in tariff in the West Zone will rise to P67.61 from P65.76 for unsewered customers, and to P78.46from P76.31 for sewered customers. Monthly bill increases are estimated at P1.02 to P39.04, based on usage.

According to Ty, the proposed 2026 standard water rates reflect updated rate components and are expected to result in higher monthly bills, based on the consumption scenarios presented by the regulator.

Adjustments based on improvements and capital spending

MWSS data showed the adjustments are anchored on service improvements and capital spending by the concessionaires, including sewerage projects that raised sewer coverage to 30.16 percent by end-2025, above the 30 percent target.

As of November 2025, capital expenditures reached about 75 percent to 78 percent of cumulative targets for 2023 to 2025, driven by new sewage treatment plants and related systems.

To ease the impact on low-income households, MWSS said both Manila Water and Maynilad have enhanced lifeline programs for qualified Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries consuming up to 20 cubic meters per month.