By Sheldeen Joy Talavera, Reporter
WEST ZONE concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. posted a 17.4% increase in second-quarter net income to P4.52 billion, aided by lower interest expenses and taxes.
Operating revenues rose 2.4% to P10.02 billion on higher billed water volume and an expanding customer base, the company said in a statement on Tuesday.
For the first six months, Maynilad’s net income increased 14% to P8.51 billion, while revenues rose 4.1% to P19.11 billion.
“Our first-half performance reflects continued progress in improving service delivery, enhancing network efficiency, and expanding wastewater and sanitation coverage,” Maynilad President and Chief Executive Officer Ramoncito S. Fernandez said.
Maynilad said billed water volume increased 2.9% to 280.8 million cubic meters (cu.m.), while billed connections rose 1.6% to 1,587,621.
The company said continued investments in infrastructure and network reliability helped improve water service coverage to 94.99% from 94.76% a year earlier.
Capital expenditures increased 18.9% to P12.89 billion in the first half from P10.85 billion a year earlier.
Maynilad said wastewater coverage reached 88%, while sewerage coverage improved to 26% from 25%, and sanitation coverage increased to 62% from 60% in the first half of 2025.
BRACING FOR SECOND HALF
Despite stronger first-half earnings, Maynilad said it is preparing for supply challenges in the second half, particularly the declining water level at Angat Dam, the primary water source for Metro Manila concessionaires.
“We continue to monitor conditions closely and coordinate with relevant government agencies,” Mr. Fernandez said.
Amid the risks posed by the onset of El Niño, the company said it has measures in place to mitigate the effects of possible drought and extreme heat.
Maynilad Chief Operating Officer Christopher Jaime T. Lichauco said the concessionaire is diversifying its raw water sources to reduce its dependence on Angat Dam, whose water level remains at a critical level.
“We have now weaned and reduced our dependency on Angat from 90% to 83%, and by yearend, hopefully by 81%,” Mr. Lichauco said during a briefing.
The company has commissioned several water treatment facilities, including Putatan Water Treatment Plant 2 and Poblacion Water Treatment Plant in Muntinlupa City, as well as modular treatment plants and NEW WATER treatment plants.
To strengthen its water supply buffer, Maynilad is improving network efficiency to reduce non-revenue water (NRW), or water lost through leaks and illegal connections.
Mr. Fernandez said the company’s NRW level fell to an all-time low of 29.7% and is targeting a full-year average of 29.4%.
To date, the company has recovered 150 million liters per day of water, equivalent to the output of one water treatment plant.
“This will serve as a supply buffer to enhance our El Niño preparedness,” he said.
Maynilad provides water and wastewater services in the West Zone, covering 11 cities in Metro Manila, parts of three other cities, and portions of Cavite.
Metro Pacific Investments Corp., the majority owner of Maynilad, is one of three Philippine units of Hong Kong-based First Pacific Co. Ltd., alongside 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.
