Manila Water delivers solid first half of 2026 performance with double-digit revenue and EBITDA growth

Despite investment-cycle challenges and a more complicated operating environment, Manila Water Company, Inc. (Manila Water) maintained its strong financial and operational performance for the first half of the year, demonstrating the beneficial effects of authorized tariff adjustments, steady demand, and ongoing cost discipline.

Manila Water's consolidated revenues for the first half of 2026 rose by 11% to Php22.2 billion, supported by both the implementation of tariff adjustments across key operating units and steady contributions from its core business. Effective cost control and operational efficiency initiatives complemented this topline growth, resulting in a 13% increase in EBITDA to Php16.4 billion. The company's continued focus on efficiency enhancements and strict cost controls throughout the organization was reflected in the EBITDA margin's further strengthening to 74%. In addition, net income increased by 6% to Php8.5 billion, indicating Manila Water's ability to generate profits in spite of increased depreciation and interest costs. This demonstrates the business's capacity to strike a balance between the demands of an ongoing investment cycle and short-term financial performance.

Due to consistent customer demand and tariff adjustments, Manila Water's East Zone Concession saw a 12% increase in revenues to Php17.9 billion, indicating a strong business performance. Despite increased depreciation and interest costs from strategic infrastructure investments, the core business continued to be strong, as evidenced by the 13% increase in EBITDA to Php13.7 billion and the 9% improvement in net income to Php7.8 billion.

Non-East Zone Philippines (NEZ PH) business units also produced strong growth outside of Manila Water's East Zone Concession. Tariff adjustments in key operations in Clark, South Luzon, and Boracay contributed significantly to the 2% growth in NEZ PH revenues and the 7% increase in EBITDA. Higher supervision fees from projects under the company's Laguna Water and Estate Water divisions further supported this, demonstrating Manila Water's growing portfolio contribution outside of its East Zone Concession and each company's capacity to seize expansion opportunities.

Manila Water is still concentrating on vital infrastructure that facilitates long-term water security, service dependability, and capacity growth. In accordance with the company's service commitments, capital expenditures totaled Php6.8 billion during that time.

“Our first half results show that even in uncertain times, our company can still deliver strong performance, provide reliable service, and create lasting value for our stakeholders. While geopolitical concerns and El Niño present real challenges for our sector, we are confident in our ability to navigate these conditions by improving the way we operate, optimizing resources, and strengthening service delivery. In doing so, we can translate operational gains into meaningful financial results, while continuing to provide reliable and essential water service to our customers.” ~Mr. Roberto R. Locsin, Manila Water President and CEO

Manila Water continues to take a proactive approach to managing external risks, such as the current El Niño conditions and market disruptions brought on by the Middle East crisis. The business is still taking a methodical and focused approach to water supply augmentation, operational resilience, and cost control.

Manila Water calls on customers to support August desludging program

Manila Water rolls out its August desludging schedule and encourages customers to take advantage of this essential service. By participating in regular desludging, customers become partners in protecting waterways, reducing pollution, and safeguarding public health in their communities.

Manila Water is urging consumers throughout its East Zone concession area to take part in its planned August desludging activities, emphasizing the critical role that homes play in maintaining waterways and safeguarding community health.

Customers can lessen the risks to the environment and public health by regularly desludging their septic tanks to stop untreated wastewater from entering nearby waterways, groundwater sources, and drainage systems.

For this month of August, Manila Water desludging teams will be deployed in the following East Zone Barangays: Bagong Nayon, Sta. Cruz, and San Luis in Antipolo City; Baras and Jalajala in Rizal; Pila Pila in Binangonan; San Andres and San Isidro in Cainta; Santa Ana in Taytay; Caniogan, Santo Tomas, and Santolan in Pasig City; Malanday, Marikina Heights, Nangka, and Parang in Marikina City; San Isidro and San Jose in Montalban (Rodriguez); and Ampid 1 in San Mateo. The desludging teams will also be deployed to select accounts in Marilag, Botocan, San Vicente, Paligsahan, and San Martin de Porres in Quezon City.

“Every household that participates in desludging becomes a partner in protecting our waterways and safeguarding public health. By ensuring that septic tanks are regularly maintained, customers help prevent pollution and contribute to cleaner, healthier communities.” ~Dittie Galang, Manila Water Corporate Communications Group Head

Desludging is the process of removing wastewater and accumulated sludge from septic tanks. Before being safely released in compliance with environmental regulations, the collected septage is transported to Manila Water septage treatment facilities, where it is properly treated. This procedure supports larger initiatives to enhance water quality throughout the East Zone by lowering the pollution load that might otherwise wind up in rivers and creeks.

Currently, Manila Water treats wastewater throughout its concession area with three septage treatment facilities. These are the Pinugay SpTP in Antipolo, Rizal; the South SpTP in FTI, Taguig; and the North Septage Treatment Plant (SpTP) in San Mateo, Rizal. 

Manila Water employees will notify customers in the designated service areas in advance, and they are urged to make sure their septic tanks are accessible on the day of the operation.

Manila Water offers a free desludging service that is carried out every five years. 

The initiative is a component of the business's ongoing efforts to enhance environmental sustainability and sanitation services in the East Zone.

Manila Water replaces over 160,000 meters in 2025

By end December 2025, Manila Water had replaced 168,806 water meters. This helped boost the company's efficiency measures by improving consumption accuracy and reduce water losses.

Manila Water maintained low levels of non-revenue water (NRW) in 2025, partly because to the company's increased efforts to replace meters and its usually quick reaction to network leaks throughout the East Zone.

December's NRW for the water firm was 13.55 percent, making the average for the entire year 14.27 percent. The company's continuous efforts to lower commercial and physical losses in the distribution network are reflected in this performance. 

The widespread execution of the company's meter replacement program in 2025 is a significant factor in this performance. Manila Water had replaced 168,806 water meters at the end of December.

The company's efficiency measures are strengthened by the meter replacement initiative, which improves consumption accuracy and lowers water losses. These improvements support the company's efforts to sustainably reduce NRW and assist guarantee correct client billing.

Physical water loss management is also greatly influenced by the company's prompt leak response. In December 2025 alone, Manila Water maintained a flawless compliance record for the month by fixing all 26 reported pipe bursts in less than a day. Throughout the whole year, technicians fixed all 613 mainline bursts in less than a day, avoiding extended losses and network-wide service interruptions.

“Rapid field response, active leak detection, and replacing meters remain essential to keeping water losses low and ensuring service reliability across the East Zone. These operational measures directly support the company’s commitment to maintaining efficiency and sustaining improvements in NRW performance.” ~Jeric Sevilla, Manila Water’s Corporate Communication Affairs Group Director

By improving district metering, managing network pressure, replacing more meters, and expanding leak detection efforts, Manila Water will keep increasing the scope of its NRW reduction efforts in 2026. These initiatives are a component of the company's larger plan to increase the resilience of the East Zone water supply network, ensure water availability, and improve service continuity.

Manila Water bags two Merit Awards at the 21st Philippine Quill Awards

Manila Water Foundation’s Project Drink Pilipinas! and Manila Water Sustainability Team’s Katubig Currents: Stories & Actions for a Sustainable Future both earned recognition at the 21st Philippine Quill Awards held at the Manila Hotel recently.   

At the 21st Philippine Quill Awards, which were hosted at the Manila Hotel, Manila Water Foundation and the Sustainability Team each received a Merit Award for their exceptional communication initiatives that promote environmental stewardship and public health. 

Pilipinas Drink Project! was honored in the area of Corporate Social Responsibility and was headed by the Manila Water Foundation.  The program encourages drinking enough of water for both environmental and health reasons.  By means of Project Drink Pilipinas! More than 400 refrigerated drinking fountains (RDFs) have been placed by the Manila Water Foundation in important public areas like parks, hospitals, and popular tourist spots to promote community health and wellbeing.  Students, faculty, and staff now have convenient access to clean, refreshing drinking water thanks to the installation of RDFs on campuses around Metro Manila.

Now that more than 752,987 people have access to clean, drinkable water, the initiative promotes the use of washable cups or tumblers and opposes the "throw-away" culture of single-use PET plastic bottles, which can contaminate streams and result in flooding.

“Project Drink Pilipinas! of Manila Water Foundation calls on more partners and donors to bring refrigerated drinking fountains to more schools and public spaces. Through partnerships, let us quench the public’s thirst for clean, potable water, promote hydration for health, and care for the environment by supporting solid waste management programs of cities and communities.” ~Rej Andal, Manila Water Foundation Executive Director

A Merit Award in Sustainability Communications and Breakthroughs and Innovations was given to the Manila Water Sustainability Team's Katubig Currents: Stories & Actions for a Sustainable Future initiative.  The program uses an internal storytelling platform called Kwentong Katubig in conjunction with employee-led watershed restoration initiatives called Pasibol: Puno ng Pag-asa to promote a sustainable culture.  With more than 1,600 hours of volunteer work, 22 articles published, and numerous employee-driven inventions, Katubig Currents equips Manila Water staff to be climate resilience advocates.

“Katubig Currents reflects the heart of our sustainability journey—empowering every Manila Water employee to be a storyteller, a changemaker, and a steward of our shared future. This recognition affirms our belief that real climate action begins within.” ~Sarah Bergado, Manila Water Sustainability Director

The Philippine Quill Awards, organized by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Philippines, is the country’s most prestigious recognition program for business communication excellence.