Starting 1 October 2025, the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) will implement a 12 percent water rate adjustment, following approval from the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA).
For residential consumers using a ½-inch meter, the minimum charge for the first 10 cubic meters will be raised from the current P209.76 to the new ?235.60 rate.
In a statement, MCWD said that the new commodity charges are set at P26.04 per cubic meter for 11-20 cubic meters; P30.64 per cubic meter (for 21-30 cubic meters); and P75.02 per cubic meter (for consumption of 31 cubic meters and up).
Despite the increase, MCWD stressed that its potable water remains the most affordable among utilities.
‘At ?0.023 per liter, or ?0.46 for a 20-liter gallon, MCWD water is still significantly cheaper than bottled water (?25 per container), electricity (?13/kWh), mobile load (~?600/month), and internet (~?1,200/month),’ it said.
This year’s rate adjustment marks the first in 10 years, with the last one implemented in January 2015.
The water district deferred a planned 2020 increase to ease the burden on consumers during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite rising operational costs.
Since 2015, MCWD said that it has invested ?2.1 billion in expansion and rehabilitation projects and allocated ?12 billion for operations.
Major initiatives include the ?1.1-billion Lusaran Bulk Water Project, which began supplying 30,000 cubic meters of water daily in 2022 to underserved areas, such as Busay, Lahug, Apas, Pit-os, and other upland barangays.
MCWD has also started sourcing from desalination plants to mitigate drought impacts and seasonal fluctuations of supply.
In a letter dated 11 September 2025, LWUA Administrator Jose Moises Salonga confirmed the approval of MCWD’s application for a rate adjustment.
Public consultations were earlier conducted in November 2022 as part of the approval process.
Originally slated for 1 July 2023, the adjustment faced delays. LWUA initially granted a provisional 38 percent increase in March 2025 pending review, before finalizing the 12 percent hike.
As a government-owned and controlled corporation, MCWD emphasized that it operates on a non-profit, self-sustaining model, reinvesting revenues into projects to ensure reliable and safe water supply for Metro Cebu.