Maynilad to offer discount to marginalized customers

LOW-INCOME customers served by Maynilad Water Services, Inc. may expect lower water bills next year as the company is set to implement a program that will allow them to apply for a bigger discount.

In a media release on Tuesday, Metro Manila’s west zone concessionaire said it would implement the Enhanced Lifeline Program (ELP) starting Jan. 1, 2024, which will give an opportunity to low-income and low-consuming residential consumers to apply for more discounts on their water bills.

Maynilad said the move came after it was urged by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System’s Regulatory Office to extend a discount not only to its low-consuming customers but also to its marginalized customers.

Regular lifeline customers, or those whose monthly consumption does not exceed 10 cubic meters, already enjoy a 41% discount on the basic charge.

“But under the ELP, those ‘Regular Lifeline’ customers who are also marginalized [or] beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Act, or customers living below the poverty line, as determined by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) — can apply and qualify for a higher discount on their water bills,” the company said.

The company said that applications for the low-income lifeline rate will start on Nov. 14. Qualified customers can apply by submitting a completed application form, their latest water bill, and a photocopy of their 4Ps identification to any Maynilad business area office or Barangay helpdesk.

For non-4Ps beneficiaries, a local Social Welfare and Development Office certification and photocopy of one government identification card are required.

Maynilad said that it has over 320,000 regular lifeline customers and expects around 60,000 low-income lifeline customers to apply for the higher discount under the ELP.

Maynilad serves Manila, except portions of San Andres and Sta. Ana. It also operates in Quezon City, Makati, Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas, and Malabon.

It also supplies the cities of Cavite, Bacoor, and Imus, and the towns of Kawit, Noveleta, and Rosario, all in Cavite province.

Metro Pacific Investments Corp., which has a majority stake in Maynilad, is one of three Philippine units of Hong Kong-based First Pacific Co. Ltd., the others being Philex Mining Corp. and PLDT Inc.

Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has an interest in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

Maynilad to offer discount to marginalized customers
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