Poe to Manila Water: Don’t just pay fines, assure steady water supply

MANILA, Philippines — Manila Water should not just pay fines over the ongoing water supply interruptions in the East Zone concession, it should also ensure that its customers are provided with a steady water supply, Senator Grace Poe said Thursday.

“Kailangan talaga siguro mabigay ng solusyon. Hindi lamang ‘yung refund na P500 million na matatanggap ng ating mga subscribers,” Poe said in an interview over dzMM.

“Marinig natin mismo sa Manila Water na sa darating na mga araw ay may regular na po na tubig,” she added.

Poe, who led a probe on the water shortage at the Senate, issued the remark after the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) slapped a P1.13-billion fine against Manila Water for the ongoing supply shortage at the East Zone concession.

Manila Water said it will abide by the MWSS order and will pay P534 million for not meeting service requirements and set aside P600 million to fund a new water source.

BREAK: MWSS fines Manila Water for supply shortage

Manila Water to pay P1.13B in penalties

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

In a statement, Poe earlier asked the MWSS to make public their computation as to how they came up with the P1.13 billion fine against the East Zone concessionaire.

She also asked whether the P600 million fund that is supposedly for a new water source is a penalty since it is the obligation of the Manila Water to find new water sources.

“Papaano ito naging penalty kung obligasyon naman talaga nila ng Manila Water na palawakin ang supply ng tubig?” Poe said in an earlier statement.

“Isa pa, baka ito ay ipasa rin ng Manila Water sa consumers nito sa kalaunan,” she added. /muf

Poe asks MWSS for computation on P1.13 B fine against Manila Water