Marikina City Mayor Maan Teodoro on Friday, Dec. 19, ordered the allocation of P15 million as an initial payment for Barangay Tumana's outstanding debt to Manila Water, amounting to more than P37 million, to restore the barangay's water services before Christmas.

Teodoro said she had already called the Sangguniang Panlungsod to urgently pass a proposed ordinance appropriating funds to address the water problem in the barangay after Manila Water disconnected the water supply.

In a letter sent by the water concessionaire to the barangay, the village chairman allegedly failed to remit the payments of residents, allowing the balance to reach P37,192,199.98 as of Dec. 2, 2025.

Despite repeated demands from the company, Barangay Tumana's officials allegedly did not settle their obligation, forcing the water service provider to disconnect the water service to all 13 common watering points under the agreement.

“Hindi ko hahayaan na mag-Pasko ang mahigit 3,000 residente ng Barangay Tumana na walang tubig (I will not let the more than 3,000 residents of Barangay Tumana spend Christmas without water)," Teodoro said, adding that the proposed ordinance is a decisive intervention that will provide the necessary funds to settle obligations and facilitate the immediate restoration of water services in Barangay Tumana.

“This intervention is both compassionate and prudent, providing immediate relief while ensuring accountability in the use of public funds. More importantly, it reaffirms the city government’s commitment to protect public health, uphold human dignity, and serve the people of Marikina,” she explained.

Meanwhile, they underscored both the legal and moral obligations of the city government to act decisively, citing the mandate under Section 16 of the Local Government Code to protect the welfare of its constituents.

“Dahil sa malawakang epekto ng kawalan ng water supply sa mga residente ng Tumana, hinihiling ko sa mga miyembro ng Sangguniang Panlungsod na agarang aksyonan ang ordinansang ito para sa kapakanan at benepisyo ng mga residente (Due to the widespread impact of the lack of water supply on the residents of Tumana, I request the members of the City Council to immediately take action on this ordinance for the welfare and benefits of the residents)," Teodoro said.

The local chief executive has vowed to hold accountable all officials who were liable for failing to settle the over P37 million debt to Manila Water, leading to the disconnection of essential water supply in Tumana. 

“Kasabay nito, hahanapin at papanagutin natin ang mga responsable. May mananagot, at sisiguruhin nating hindi na ito mauulit. At malinaw po ito: hindi ko papayagan na ang mga taga-Tumana ang magdusa dahil sa pagkukulang ng iilan (At the same time, we will find and hold accountable those responsible. Someone will be held accountable, and we will ensure that this does not happen again. And this is clear: I will not allow the people of Tumana to suffer because of the shortcomings of a few)," Teodoro stressed.