Manila Water customers can expect rebates as early as next month–MWSS

BLOOMING PROBLEM A resident checks the algae on the coast of Laguna Lake in Barangay Putatan, Muntinlupa City, where algal bloom proliferation has forced water service interruptions in the area. GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

Customers of Manila Water Co. Inc. can expect rebates as early as next month as the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) finalizes details of its implementation.

“We are finalizing the computations on how much the rebate would be,” Patrick Ty, chief regulator for the MWSS, told the Inquirer.

“We expect to make an announcement by the third week of May,” he added.

The MWSS last week announced it had slapped P1.13 billion in penalties against Manila Water. The amount includes a fine of P534.05 million for the company’s failure to meet its service obligation and provide customers water supply all day at a pressure of at least 7 pounds per square inch.

Article 10.4 of the concession agreement between the MWSS and Manila Water states that penalties would be incurred if the concessionaire fails to meet its service obligation for more than 60 days or “15 days if the failure causes adverse effects on public health or welfare.”

The MWSS Regulatory Office had offered recommendations to the MWSS board of trustees about imposing penalties against Manila Water as early as March 26.

Operational adjustments

Manila Water started implementing “operational adjustments” on March 6, which left some areas of the east zone concession—covering parts of Metro Manila as well as the provinces of Rizal and Cavite— without water for several days.

The company expects service levels to return to normal at the onset of the rainy season.

But service interruption and weak water pressure persist in Manila Water service areas, according to Renato Reyes Jr., secretary general of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan.

Reyes is one of five Manila Water customers who petitioned the MWSS in March to start proceedings that will punish the company for failing to meet its service obligations under their concession agreement.

“In our office, water does not reach the fourth floor,” Reyes said in a separate interview. “Maybe the P534-million penalty should apply only for the period of March to April. A separate assessment should be made for the period of May to June.”

Southern situation

Ty said his office was also “closely monitoring and studying” the situation in the southern part of Maynilad Water Services Inc.’s concession area.

Customers in parts of the cities of Parañaque, Las Piñas and Muntinlupa as well as Cavite province are expected to continue experiencing low pressure to no water supply daily from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. until May 14.

Service interruptions started to be felt in these areas on April 27 due to excessive algal bloom in the Laguna de Bay, which causes limited production at Maynilad’s Putatan Water Treatment Plant No. 1 and No. 2 in Muntinlupa.

Reyes said the MWSS should look into whether Maynilad should also be held liable for penalties for failing to meet its service obligation.

“Consumers should be apprised of the monitoring being done by MWSS. There must be some relief provided for affected areas of Maynilad,” he said.