Razon-led Manila Water Co. has expanded its retail aggregation program (RAP) enrollment, shifting 56 more facilities to the scheme that allows end-users to combine their power demand and qualify as a single contestable customer.

In a statement on Thursday, Oct., 9, Manila Water said the move will add 1,682 kilowatts (kW) of aggregated demand, well over the 500 kW threshold needed to enter the contestable power market.

The facilities include 10 from its non-east zone unit, Laguna Water, and 45 from Estate Water across Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Metro Manila, and the Manila Water Foundation’s La Mesa Ecopark.

Manila Water said the latest transition brings the utility’s total RAP participation to 214 facilities with a combined aggregated demand of approximately 11 megawatts (MW). These facilities are supplied power by Razon-led PrimeRES Energy through the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) distribution network.

Manila Water President and Chief Executive Officer Jocot De Dios said the expansion reflects the “power of choice” enabled by the program. 
“We have 214 facilities switched now to RAP... and that's very powerful because, at the end of the day, we are held as a utility accountable for the costs we charge our customers,” he said, citing an effort to “rethink our approach toward tariffs and our customer base, and really be as efficient as possible.”

The RAP is an initiative of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) designed to promote competitive power supply options.

ERC Market Operations Service Director Sharon Montaner noted that Manila Water’s initial participation in February 2025 has already had an effect.

“Since Manila Water’s first switching in February 2025, RAP participation has grown by 70 percent, a rate faster than RCOA [Retail Competition and Open Access], reflecting greater inclusivity and freedom of choice,” she said.

Manila Water’s first transition in February aggregated 10 wastewater facilities, which had a combined average demand of 500 kW.