Poe to Manila Water: Implement fair water bill adjustments

MANILA, Philippines  – “An apology is best expressed monetarily.”

Senator Grace Poe had this to say on Monday and urged Manila Water Compnay Inc. to implement a fair and just adjustment in the water bill of its affected customers for the month of March and succeeding months with unstable water supply.

The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and Manila Water Company Inc. are scheduled to meet on the matter.

“Manila water can absorb it, their income will not dry up.  It is a drop in their bucket of profits.  An apology is best expressed monetarily,” Poe said in a statement.

“Manila Water should not be reaping profits even if the taps have run dry,” she added.

Manila Water, which services the east zone of Metro Manila and parts of Rizal province, implemented water supply cuts starting March 8, citing the low water level in La Mesa Dam.

Poe said MWSS should be vigilant to ensure that people are not shortchanged in the computation of the bill reductions.

She added that the bill adjustment should be forthcoming after the meeting and immediately felt by consumers in their next billing.

Poe, chairperson of the Senate public services committee, led an inquiry on the water supply shortage and the lack of foresight of state regulators in implementing measures to prevent a water crisis.

READ: Senate opens probe on Metro Manila water shortage

The committee is preparing its preliminary report on the water shortage problem, Poe said.

READ: Poe: Senate panel can prepare prelim report on water shortage after 1 hearing

By committing to adjust its charges, Poe said Manila Water Inc. will be showing good faith to the public that it is prepared to do its responsibility during a water supply problem.

“Kung walang tumulong tubig sa gripo, bakit tayo magbabayad?” Poe said.

“What’s most important is this should be treated as an urgent matter, and should be felt by the consumers as soon as possible,” she added. /gsg