Head office of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System in Diliman, Quezon City. (Photo from the MWSS website)
MANILA, Philippines — The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) said it will ask the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), through a formal complaint, to impose penalties on Manila Water and suspend its March water bill collection.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Bayan Secretary-General Renato Reyes said that the group and the consumers of the east zone concessionaire would “formally ask the MWSS to impose penalties on the private water concessionaire for violating its contractual obligation to provide uninterrupted water service to its consumers.”
“The complainants will seek the suspension or non-collection of the March bill, the cancellation of the water rate increase, the refund of the previous increase, and other penalties imposed under the concession agreement,” he added.
Bayan earlier said it was planning to sue Manila Water for the water supply shortage that affected parts of Metro Manila and Rizal for more than a week.
READ: Bayan eyes suit vs Manila Water amid supply shortage
Reyes said Bayan and Manila Water customers would also urge the MWSS to conduct a series of public hearings in all of the cities affected by the water supply shortage “for greater public participation in the determination of the penalties.”
“This is necessary to determine how households, businesses, and government offices were severely affected by the water crisis,” he added.
With the filing of a formal complaint, he said that customers of the water concessionaire would be expecting a formal response and an official action from the MWSS.
“This is an extraordinary case that requires extraordinary action from the agency,” Reyes said. “We want the complaint/petition to be discussed immediately and not be sure dismissed.”
The water supply problem gripped parts of Metro Manila and Rizal prior to the onset of the dry season and the looming El Niño.
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Manila Water said the water supply shortage was due to low water elevation of La Mesa Dam, which dropped to its lowest level in 21 years.
READ: La Mesa Dam breaches critical mark, hits 21-year low
Last March 19, the Senate Committee on Public Services launched its investigation on the water shortage that affected thousands of residents in Metro Manila and Rizal.
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