Manila Water's first half of 2026 performance is solid, with double-digit revenue and EBITDA growth

Manila Water Company, Inc. (Manila Water) maintained its strong financial and operational performance in the first half of the year, owing to the positive impact of approved tariff adjustments, stable demand, and continued cost discipline despite investment-cycle headwinds and a more complex operating environment.

Manila Water's consolidated revenues increased by 11% to Php22.2 billion in the first half of 2026, driven by consistent contributions from its core business and tariff adjustments implemented across key operating units. This topline growth was bolstered by effective cost management and operational efficiency initiatives, which resulted in a 13% increase in EBITDA to Php 16.4 billion. EBITDA margin increased to 74%, reflecting the company's ongoing emphasis on efficiency improvements and disciplined cost controls throughout the organization. Net income increased by 6% to Php8.5 billion, demonstrating Manila Water's strong earnings potential despite higher depreciation and interest expenses. This demonstrates the company's ability to balance short-term financial performance with the demands of an ongoing investment cycle.

Manila Water's East Zone Concession's business performance remained strong, with revenues increasing by 12% to Php17.9 billion due to consistent customer demand and tariff adjustments. EBITDA also increased by 13% to Php13.7 billion, resulting in a 9% increase in net income to Php7.8 billion, indicating the continued strength of the core business, despite higher depreciation and interest expenses from strategic infrastructure investments.

Beyond Manila Water's East Zone Concession, Non-East Zone Philippines (NEZ PH) business units demonstrated strong growth. NEZ PH revenues increased by 2%, while EBITDA increased by 7%, primarily due to tariff adjustments in key operations in Clark, South Luzon, and Boracay. This was bolstered by higher supervision fees from projects under the company's Laguna Water and Estate Water businesses, reflecting Manila Water's expanding portfolio beyond its East Zone Concession and its ability to seize growth opportunities.

Manila Water continues to prioritize critical infrastructure that enables capacity expansion, service reliability, and long-term water security. Capital expenditures during the period totaled Php6.8 billion, in line with the company's service obligations.

“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 is proactive in managing external risks, including El Niño and market disruptions from the Middle East crisis. The company continues to take a disciplined and deliberate approach to cost management, operational resilience, and water supply augmentation.

Manila Water will enhance sanitation reach using its first-ever Utility Model patented Portable Desludger

Manila Water has received a patent from the International Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) for their innovative portable desludger.  This revolutionary technology is intended to improve the company's sanitation operations, particularly in hard-to-reach barangays, resulting in cleaner and healthier communities. 

The Portable Desludger has a simple design, transforming a traditional vacuum tanker into a tiny 1m³ tank.  The smaller tank can be put on a smaller vehicle and connected in series with a bigger 10m³ desludging truck.  The setup allows the 10m³ truck to remain on standby, while the more agile Portable Desludger navigates tiny routes to suit customers' desludging demands.

Manila Water’s first-ever utility model patented portable desludger is being deployed in various barangays where accessibility challenges hinder Manila Water's ability to perform desludging services. These barangays are primarily located in areas with narrow streets and elevated terrains, making them inaccessible to conventional desludging trucks.

Currently, the portable desludger is being deployed in several barangays where accessibility issues limit Manila Water's ability to provide desludging services.  These barangays are mostly found in places with small roadways and elevated terrain, making them inaccessible to traditional desludging vehicles.

“The development of Manila Water’s newly patented portable desludger exemplifies the company’s ongoing commitment to enhancing sanitation services, particularly in underserved communities.” ~Jeric Sevilla, Manila Water Corporate Affairs Group Director

Currently, the portable desludger is being deployed in several barangays where accessibility issues limit Manila Water's ability to provide desludging services.  These barangays are mostly found in places with small roadways and elevated terrain, making them inaccessible to traditional desludging vehicles.