West zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc. (Maynilad) said Wednesday it is launching the Enhanced Lifeline Program (ELP) to give a higher discount on water bills of qualified low-income and low-consuming residential customers.
Maynilad said it already provides a 41-percent discount on the basic charge of “regular lifeline” customers, or those whose monthly consumption does not exceed 10 cubic meters. Under the ELP, those “regular lifeline” customers who are also marginalized—such as the 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.
Maynilad said it would implement the ELP on Jan. 1, 2024 after the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System – Regulatory Office (MWSS-RO) urged the company to extend a discount not only to its low-consuming customers but also to its marginalized customers, as they are the ones who stand to benefit greatly from the savings that the “low-income lifeline rate” would yield.
Customers who are qualified for the “low-income lifeline” rate 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 Maynilad barangay helpdesk. For non-4Ps beneficiaries, a local Social Welfare and Development Office certification and photocopy of one government ID are required.
Applications for the “Low-Income Lifeline” Rate will start on Nov. 13, 2023.
Maynilad has over 320,000 “regular lifeline” customers, and the company expects around 60,000 “low-income lifeline” customers to apply for the higher discount under the ELP.
“There are many poor households within our concession area that can benefit from availing of the low-income lifeline rate, so we encourage all qualified customers to apply to the program,” said Maynilad customer experience and retail operations head Christopher Lichauco.
Maynilad is the largest private water concessionaire in the Philippines in terms of customer base. It is the concessionaire of Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) for the west zone of the Greater Manila Area, which is composed of the cities of Manila (certain portions), Quezon City (certain portions), Makati (west of South Super Highway), Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas and Malabon all in Metro Manila; the cities of Cavite, Bacoor and Imus, and the towns of Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario in Cavite province.