Sustained recovery of consumer demand, along with approved rate adjustments, boosted Razon-led Manila Water Co. Inc.’s net income in the first quarter.
In a statement on Tuesday, May 14, Manila Water said that its profit soared 35 percent to P3.1 billion from P2.3 billion in the same period last year.
“The sustained recovery of customer demand and implementation of tariff adjustments in both its East Zone Concession and several of its Non-East Zone Philippines (NEZ PH) businesses were the main drivers for the positive performance,” Manila Water said.
At a consolidated level, revenues surged by 19 percent to P8.8 billion, propelled by an increase in billed volume primarily from the recovery of the East Zone’s commercial and industrial accounts, and complemented by a 15 percent rise in revenues from Manila Water’s NEZ PH business.
Moreover, reduced direct costs during the period helped stabilize overall cost levels.
As a result, consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) rose 29 percent to P6.2 billion.
In the East Zone Concession of Manila Water, revenues rose by 21 percent to nearly P7 billion due to the implementation of the rate rebasing tariff adjustment in January this year and a sustained increase in consumption across all customer segments.
Meanwhile, costs and expenses increased by four percent to P1.9 billion, driven by higher premises and personnel costs aligning with the completion of additional facilities.
Last January, Manila Water implemented the second tranche of tariff adjustments as part of its approved Rate Rebasing Service Improvement Plan. This resulted in a positive tariff adjustment of P6.41 per cubic meter.
“We see the successful implementation of our approved tariff adjustments in the East Zone and several of our operations in the country as a clear sign of stability and recovery for our sector,” Jocot de Dios, Manila Water 0resident and chief executive officer, said.
“These developments enable us to execute our projects aimed at improving service quality, providing reliable water supply, and expanding our network coverage to more communities,” he added.