A P14.8-billion water and wastewater project is moving closer to an award at New Clark City in Tarlac, where growth will bring greater demand for essential services.

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority is pursuing a 25-year concession to build, operate and maintain the system.

Maynilad Water Services and Korea Water Resources Corp. submitted the proposal, which was then opened to competing offers.

Seventeen companies attended a prequalification meeting, but none filed the required documents by the deadline, leaving the consortium in line for the award.

The contract has not yet been signed, and an award alone will not deliver reliable water service or effective wastewater treatment.

The facilities are intended to serve New Clark City’s households, businesses, institutions and industries, not upgrade Metro Manila’s water network.

As the city expands, the test will be whether capacity and environmental safeguards keep pace.

Coca-Cola HBC has raised its annual organic revenue growth forecast after smaller packages and selective price increases helped sustain demand across its European and African markets.

It now expects growth slightly above its previous 6 percent to 7 percent range, while leaving its operating profit growth outlook unchanged.

Quarterly organic revenue rose 9 percent, beating analysts’ 8 percent expectation, with football-related promotions providing a boost.

The bottler has protected itself against some sugar and aluminum price swings, but fuel, delivery and utility costs remain a challenge.

It is also pursuing sales of higher-priced energy drinks, coffee and other beverages.

For Metro Manila shoppers, the results do not signal a change in local Coke prices: Coca-Cola HBC does not bottle products there.

They do, however, show why package size and shelf price matter when households are watching their budgets.

For Metro Manila families, rising fares and household bills are leaving less room in the budget for groceries and other essentials.

Philippine inflation reached 7.8 percent in October 2026, up from 7.2 percent in September, marking a second straight month of faster price growth.

The Philippine Statistics Authority identified transport as the biggest driver, with prices rising 20.1 percent from a year earlier, compared with 14.6 percent in September.

Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels also rose faster, climbing 9.3 percent annually.

October’s inflation rate was the highest since February 2023, although it remained within the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ forecast range.

The figure measures prices nationwide, not Metro Manila alone, but commuters and families in the capital still face the daily challenge of making their paychecks stretch further.