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Poe: MWSS should resolve Maynilad's planned water service disruption starting July 12
Philippines
National
Poe: MWSS should resolve Maynilad's planned water service disruption starting July 12
Poe: MWSS should resolve Maynilad's planned water service disruption starting July 12
Published Jul 9, 2023 06:54 am
Senator Grace Poe on Sunday, July 9 urged state regulator Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) to take urgent action on the planned water service interruption of Maynilad Water Services Inc. starting July 12.
Sen. Grace Poe (Senate PRIB Photo)
Poe, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Services, deemed the service disruption, which is bound to affect almost 600,000 customers, as “unacceptable.” "MWSS should not take this matter sitting down as these recurring service cuts will affect over half a million consumers,” Poe said in a statement. "Dumadalas, humahaba ang oras at dumadami ang apektado dito sa water interruption. Hindi ito katanggap-tanggap (Water interruptions are becoming more frequent, the time is getting longer and the number of people affected is increasing. This is not acceptable),” the senator added. Maynilad earlier warned that its customers may experience up to nine (9) hours of nightly water service interruptions starting July 12 due to the decreasing water level of Angat Dam. But the MWSS should determine whether water utilities like Maynilad are adhering to their obligations based on their franchise, she said. Instead of being caught flat-footed, she also said Maynilad should have acted urgently in investing and building its capacities to address the increasing demand for potable water. "Hindi dapat umasa na lang sa lakas ng buhos ng ulan. Pag may water shortage, Angat Dam lagi ang sinisisi (One should not just rely on the strength of the downpour. When there is a water shortage, Angat Dam is always blamed),” Poe said. The lawmaker also said both the MWSS and Maynilad should infom the public of its long-term and short-term solutions to the water shortage. Poe argued the authority granted to water concessionaires carries a serious obligation to deliver efficient water service. At the same time, the senator renewed her push for Senate Bill No. 102, seeking the establishment a Department of Water Resources to give focus on water use, management and sources. Under the bill, the proposed water department would be the “primary policy, planning, coordinating, implementing, monitoring and administrative entity of the executive branch of the government.”
Sen. Grace Poe (Senate PRIB Photo)
Poe, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Services, deemed the service disruption, which is bound to affect almost 600,000 customers, as “unacceptable.” "MWSS should not take this matter sitting down as these recurring service cuts will affect over half a million consumers,” Poe said in a statement. "Dumadalas, humahaba ang oras at dumadami ang apektado dito sa water interruption. Hindi ito katanggap-tanggap (Water interruptions are becoming more frequent, the time is getting longer and the number of people affected is increasing. This is not acceptable),” the senator added. Maynilad earlier warned that its customers may experience up to nine (9) hours of nightly water service interruptions starting July 12 due to the decreasing water level of Angat Dam. But the MWSS should determine whether water utilities like Maynilad are adhering to their obligations based on their franchise, she said. Instead of being caught flat-footed, she also said Maynilad should have acted urgently in investing and building its capacities to address the increasing demand for potable water. "Hindi dapat umasa na lang sa lakas ng buhos ng ulan. Pag may water shortage, Angat Dam lagi ang sinisisi (One should not just rely on the strength of the downpour. When there is a water shortage, Angat Dam is always blamed),” Poe said. The lawmaker also said both the MWSS and Maynilad should infom the public of its long-term and short-term solutions to the water shortage. Poe argued the authority granted to water concessionaires carries a serious obligation to deliver efficient water service. At the same time, the senator renewed her push for Senate Bill No. 102, seeking the establishment a Department of Water Resources to give focus on water use, management and sources. Under the bill, the proposed water department would be the “primary policy, planning, coordinating, implementing, monitoring and administrative entity of the executive branch of the government.”