Hontiveros on Manila Water P1.13-B fine: A lesson to regulatory bodies

MANILA, Philippines—Senator Risa Hontiveros said the imposition of fines by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) serves as a “clear lesson to our regulatory board.”

The MWSS imposed a P1.13 billion fine on Wednesday against the water company for the ongoing shortage supply at the East Zone concessionaire.

READ: BREAK: MWSS fines Manila Water for supply shortage

“Kaya naman pala kung gugustuhin,” Hontiveros said in a statement.

The senator added that what the MWSS did was “clear proof that government regulatory agencies have ample power to compel concessionaires of public services to effectively serve the public’s needs and penalize them when they fail to do so.”

“I hope that in the future, they will do their job appropriately and expeditiously, stop making excuses and cease from acting only when public opinion is already stacked against them,” Hontiveros added.

She also welcomed Manila Water’s compliance of abiding to pay the fines.

READ: Manila Water to abide by MWSS order to pay P1.13-B fine

“I call on the MWSS and Manila Water to set up the mechanisms to guarantee that the fines imposed will result in actual compensation or consumer rebates to the thousands of households in the metro which were severely affected by the lack of water supply,” the senator said. /muf