The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System Regulatory Office (MWSS RO) has allowed Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water Company Inc. to disconnect delinquent customers in Metro Manila areas under Alert Level 4 and below.
“For areas not under Alert Level 5 or Granular Lockdown, the MWSS RO encourages Manila Water and Maynilad customers to settle their Statements of Account (SOAs) in order to ensure continuity of services,” MWSS Chief Regulator Patrick Ty said in the agency’s latest notice.
“For areas under Alert Level 5, water service disconnection is still suspended,” Ty added.
This is in light of the implementation of Alert Levels System and Granular Lockdowns in certain areas of the National Capital Region (NCR) beginning 16 September 2021, as provided for in the “Guidelines on the Pilot Implementation of Alert Levels System for COVID-19 Response in the NCR” issued on 13 September 2021 by the Inter-Agency Task force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID). The new Alert Level System, which took effect today, Sept. 16, is a new way scheme adopted by the IATF to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
Two days ago, mayors in Metro Manila have decided to place their respective areas under Alert Level 4. This means, delinquent customers in Metro Manila may be issued disconnection notice by the two water companies.
Based on MWSS’ disconnection policy, concessionaires are allowed to disconnect customers whose bills have remained unpaid for a period of 60 days after their due date. Likewise, the Concessionaires shall provide the customer with not less than seven days prior Written Notice of any such disconnection.
But as part of its latest order, MWSS RO has also directed the Concessionaires to provide economic relief and consideration for customers “in this difficult time of the pandemic”.
“Customers who are not able to settle their water bills may contact their Service Provider for flexible payment terms,” Ty said.
“Rest assured that the MWSS RO will continue to proactively operationalize measures to aid customers and protect consumer welfare especially in this time of adversity,” he added.
In this critical time when public health relies on access to clean, safe, and sufficient water supply, the Concessionaires have also been directed to ensure water supply availability within their Service Areas.
“The MWSS RO enjoins the public to conserve water by using this scarce resource responsibly and intelligently,” Ty further said.