Water rate hike decried
“INHUMANE.”
This was how Gabriela Party-list described the plan of the Manila Water Company to increase water rates starting January 2023 for the next six years.
“Hindi makatao ang pagtataas ng singil sa tubig sa kabila ng nagtataasang presyo ng bilihin at batayang serbisyo. Kung itutuloy ito, para na ring nilunod ang mga Pilipinong halos wala ng makain sa pang araw-araw,” the party-list said in a statement.
Based on the proposal of Manila Water, the rate of per cubic meter of water will increase by P8.04 per cubic meter (m3). If approved, the water rate will increase from P26.81/m3 to P35.86/m3 starting January 2023.
Manila Water also proposed to increase the rate in the following years: P5/m3 in 2024; P3.25/m3 in 2025; P1.91/m3 in 2026; P1.05m/3 in 2027; and P0.97/m3 in 2028.
The water rate hike proposal is one of the many reasons why Makabayan bloc has been very critical in granting franchise to water concessionaires like Manila Water and Maynilad.
“This unprecedented water rate hike confirms the failure of water privatization and the need for public control of this essential service. Prayoridad kasi ng mga korporasyong ito ang tubo kaysa serbisyo sa mamamayan,” it added.
Gabriela Women’s Party-list calls on the Filipino people to reject these proposed water rate hikes and for Congress to review the recently renewed franchises of Manila Water and Maynilad.
