Groups protest water rate hike, demand transparency

By Juliane Judilla

Progressive and consumer groups held a picket protest in front of the Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) office in Iloilo City on Monday, October 20, opposing the proposed water rate increase by Metro Pacific Iloilo Water (MPIW).

Led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan–Panay and the Panay Consumers Alliance (PCA), the protesters condemned MPIW’s planned 26% hike in water rates.

The Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) approved the hike, with the first tranche raising the rate to PHP 25.20 in November 2025 and the second raising it to PHP 28.67 in March 2026, marking a 26% and 43% increase, respectively.

“For minimum consumption, which is the average consumption in a household, that’s 0 to 10 cubic meters, we charge it at PHP 200, but effective November 2025, it will become PHP 252.02,” said MPIW Commercial Head Kathleen Sadio.

Sadio explained that the adjustment was split into two tranches to ease the burden on consumers, stating, “It’s a management decision, considerate enough that every increase has an impact on our consumers.”

The rate hike applies to over 50,200 customers in Iloilo City’s districts and surrounding towns, including Maasin, Cabatuan, San Miguel, Santa Barbara, Oton, Pavia, and Leganes.

Despite the increase, MPIW argued that its rates remain competitive, citing other water providers like South Balibago Waterworks in Jaro, which charges PHP 35.65, and Metro Cebu and Davao at PHP 24.30 and PHP 21.40, respectively.

But the groups argued that operational costs should be absorbed by the company, not passed on to consumers, especially as MPIW has remained profitable over the past six years without rate increases.

“In the midst of poverty, an additional burden of 43% — from PHP 224 including 12% VAT to PHP 321 — is already a heavy weight for consumers,” they said.

The groups also criticized what they described as poor service quality, citing continued water shortages and undrinkable, murky water that is not available around the clock.

“Water supply remains insufficient, forcing some residents to buy directly from MIWD at higher prices. The water is undrinkable, murky, and not available 24/7 — some consumers even have to stay up late waiting for water,” they added.

Bayan–Panay and PCA called for free and quality access to water and other essential social services.

They also demanded the cancellation of the Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) between the city government and MPIW.

The groups urged MPIW to publicly release its financial statements to ensure transparency and accountability.

They also called on the city government to conduct an investigation and hold a public hearing to ensure that the voices of ordinary people — not just those in power — are heard.