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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Manila Water president resigns amid a water crisis

Manila Water president resigns amid a water crisis

Published Aug 9, 2019 12:00 am
By Madelaine Miraflor Manila Water Company Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Ferdinand dela Cruz has tendered his resignation today just as the east zone concession — together with Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) — is being ordered by the Supreme Court (SC) to pay the Philippine government nearly P2 billion for their alleged violation of the Philippine Clean Water Act. Dela Cruz will be replaced by former Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, who has served briefly as Manila Water President in 2009 before joining the government in 2010. Ferdinand dela Cruz (Mark Balmores/ MANILA BULLETIN) Ferdinand dela Cruz
(Mark Balmores/ MANILA BULLETIN)   His resignation came days after SC released a decision penalizing Manila Water, Maynilad, and MWSS for violating Section 8 of the Philippine Clean Water Act enacted in 2004 under Republic Act No. 9275. Read more: SC orders MWSS, Maynilad, Manila Water to pay P1.84-B fines for Clean Water Act violation Manila Water is yet to receive the decision, the company said in a statement. "Confirming that I have resigned as CEO of Manila Water effective Aug 31 and have opted to retire from Ayala Corporation now that our services are relatively stable, a new water resources roadmap is in place and a demand management plan has been initiated," Dela Cruz said in a text message. "I will take a break first before charting my next journey," he added. Manila Water is currently having a tough year. Aside from the supply mess it experienced in March, which cost the company billions in fine and self-imposed penalty, the company also had to deal with a Metro Manila wide water crisis due to the declining water level of Angat Dam. Dela Cruz is the second high-ranking Manila Water official to quit in a span of five months, following the resignation of former Manila Water Chief Operating Officer Geodino V. Carpio.    
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