P1.13-B Manila Water fine over water shortage reasonable – Gatchalian

MANILA, Philippines – The P1.13 billion fine that the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) slapped against Manila Water Co. against Manila Water Co. Inc.  due to the water supply crisis is “reasonable,” Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said Wednesday.

“So far, I think that’s reasonable. I’m thinking, the penalty should be at least equal to the damages felt by the consumers. At least equal,” Gatchalian said during the Kapihan sa Manila  Bay.

“So I think, in my initial assessment, mukhang reasonable siya,” he added.

READ: BREAK: MWSS fines Manila Water for supply shortage

Gatchalian, however, said he would still have to “look at the data quite carefully” to fully assess whether or not the fine is enough.

“For example, ilan bang consumer ang nawalan ng tubig? Gaano katagal nawalan ng tubig? Ano bang mga negosyo na nagrerely sa tubig na napinsala o nagkaroon ng perwisyo?,” he pointed out.

“We have to compute all of those, we want to quantify all of those but inital reaction ko reasonable siya,” Gatchalian added.

Meanwhile, Manila Water said it will abide by the sanctions, since it was not able to provide its customers round-the-clock supply at 7 pounds per square inch.

“While we are not the root cause for the inadequacy of the raw water supply coming from Angat Dam which we are mandated to treat and distribute, Manila Water, as agent and contractor of water services of MWSS, hold ourselves accountable for our inability to provide our consumers with the usual uninterrupted water service,“ Manila Water president and CEO Ferdinand dela Cruz said in a statement.  /gsg