The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System has rejected the petition of two water concessionaires for an increase in their rates ranging from P6 to P10 per cubic meter next month, saying it will be ?socially irresponsible? to approve them amid the global economic crunch.

MWSS administrator Diosdado Allado said lower charges might even take place this year, pending the results of a review of the programs that the Maynilad Water Services Inc. (west zone) and Manila Water Co. (east zone) were supposed to undertake to improve their distribution services.

?We will check if they are indeed implementing the programs they were supposed to deliver because these were the reasons they cited to justify their rate hike. If they did not comply, we will look into a possible rollback or a refund on top of the order to freeze all petitions for rate hike,? Allado said.

Allado said the MWSS board held a special meeting Wednesday night and turned down the petitions for rate hike.

?It was the common sentiment of the board as a collegial body that in light of the global financial crisis, it would be socially irresponsible and insensitive for us to implement a further increase in water rates which is a very basic commodity that all of us are using,? he said.

?It was a collegial decision on the part of the board not to approve any request for water rate hikes for the entire year,? Allado added.

Maynilad was seeking a rate adjustment of P10.20 per cubic meter while Manila Water was seeking a P6.9 per cubic meter increase.

Maynilad covers parts of Manila, Pasay, Para?aque, Caloocan, Muntinlupa, Las Pi?as, Valenzuela and Quezon City along with Cavite City and the towns of Bacoor, Kawit, Noveleta, Rosario and Kawit.

Manila Water serves Makati, Pasig, Mandaluyong, Marikina, San Juan, Taguig, most sections of Quezon City, some areas of Manila, Pateros town and Rizal province. Joyce Pangco Pa?ares and Joel M. Sy Egco