Metro Pacific Iloilo Water (MPIW) announces an upcoming water rate adjustment totaling to P28.67 per cubic meter, as approved by the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) in coordination with the Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD).

The adjustment will be implemented in two tranches. Currently, the basic rate is P20 per cubic meter for households consuming 0-10 cubic meters per month, which is the average usage for a typical household. Under the new rate, this will increase to P25.20 per cubic meter, effective November 2025, and the additional P3.47 per cubic meter will be effective March 2026.

According to MPIW Chief Operating Officer Angelo David C. Berba, the rate adjustment—originally scheduled for 2019—was postponed due to various socio-economic factors, including the lingering impact of the pandemic, rising fuel and electricity costs, and considerations from local government stakeholders.

“For example, a household consuming between 0 to 10 cubic meters will now pay P252.02, compared to the current bill of P200,” said Berba

The adjustment would affect consumers in Iloilo City’s districts of Jaro, Molo, Mandurriao, La Paz, City Proper, and Arevalo, as well as the municipalities of Maasin, Cabatuan, San Miguel, Santa Barbara, Oton, Pavia, and Leganes.

The revised rate follows a socialized pricing structure approved by LWUA, where higher consumption levels—particularly by industrial and commercial users—are charged at a progressively higher rate. This helps subsidize lower-income and low-consumption households, ensuring affordability for the majority of residential users.

The adjustment also reflects the growing costs of operating a water utility system that is heavily reliant on fuel and electricity. With both commodities experiencing rising prices in recent years, MPIW has absorbed much of the cost increases to minimize the impact on consumers. “We have completely submitted all requirements to LWUA, and we are grateful to LWUA for its approval of our proposed rate adjustment,” said MIWD General Manager Alfredo Tayo

The Metro Pacific Iloilo Water (MPIW), a joint venture between MIWD and Metro Pacific Water Investments Corp., proposed an increase from the current basic rate of P20 per cubic meter to P29.19 last year. MIWD acts as the regulator, while MPIW oversees operational aspects such as system maintenance, expansion, and rehabilitation.

Tayo emphasized that even with the rate adjustment, the rate remains among the lowest and cheapest in similar urbanized areas in Iloilo and nearby towns.

This would be the first adjustment in six years despite significant rises in operational costs, including a 33% hike in bulk water prices annually and a 74% increase in material costs since 2019.

The adjustment would not fund capital expenditures (CAPEX) like infrastructure projects but would cover operational expenditures (OPEX) such as salaries, electricity, and fuel. MPIW conducted a series of public consultations from May 27 to 30 this year in Iloilo City and the seven municipalities it serves.

These consultations were part of the compliance requirements for the rate adjustment application. Similar public information, including live sessions, media coverage, and house-to-house information campaigns and LGU presentations, will be implemented.

The efforts aimed to ensure residents and stakeholders understood how the proposed adjustment would support operational sustainability and service improvements.

As part of its commitment to better serve Iloilo, MPIW is implementing projects focused on. Leak detection and reduction, Smart metering technologies, Pipe rehabilitation and upgrades, and Pressure management systems.

These improvements aim to reduce water loss, improve service reliability, and provide customers with smarter and more responsible water management.

“Our goal is to deliver smart, sustainable, and equitable water service to our communities,” said Berba.