The Gabriela party-list group on Wednesday decried the proposed “hefty” increase in water rates by the concessionaire Manila Water Company Inc. starting January 2023 for the next six years.
The women’s group, represented by its nominee in Congress, Rep. Arlene Brosas, said the “inhumane water rate hike proposal a death sentence to poverty-stricken Filipinos.”
Based on the proposal of Manila Water, Gabriela said 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 Gabriela party-list group said that this unprecedented water rate hike proposal is one of the many reasons why Makabayan bloc has been very critical in granting a 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,” the group said in a statement.
The group also urged the Filipino people to reject these proposed water rate hikes and for Congress to review the recently renewed franchises of Manila Water and Maynilad.
