Some residents of Barangay Tumana in Marikina City questioned a proposed memorandum of agreement (MOA) that could double water fees, an option being considered to address the community’s long-standing water supply problems.

Barangay Captain Akiko Centeno said barangay officials passed a resolution on Dec. 22, 2025, seeking to turn over the barangay’s water system to the local government unit (LGU) and are currently awaiting the LGU’s response.

She said that if the LGU takes over the water system, resources would be better managed since the city has a larger budget. She added that the city is also more capable, with engineers and machinery to properly handle the barangay’s water system.

While awaiting the LGU’s response, she said the barangay is considering another long-term solution involving an agreement with a third-party operator. Under this arrangement, water fees could increase from an estimated P30 to P60 per cubic meter.

“Ngayon po, wala po tayong choice ngayon kundi magkaroon po ng third party habang hinihintay po natin yung sagot sa city (Right now, we have no choice but to work with a third party while awaiting the city’s response),” Centeno said on Jan. 5.

Under the MOA, GBI, a third-party operator of Manila Water, will temporarily manage the barangay’s water system for three months to assist the barangay and tentatively take charge of its operations.

However, the deal comes with additional costs for households. In addition to the new price per cubic meter, each household will be required to pay a P1,200 guarantee deposit.

Residents, on the other hand, said they are being unfairly burdened by the barangay’s mismanagement despite consistently paying their water dues on time.

“Hindi makatarungan ito dahil nagbabayad naman kami nang tama. Hindi dapat ipasa sa mga residente ang mismanagement sa utang ng barangay (This is unfair because we are paying our dues properly. The barangay should not pass on the consequences of its debt mismanagement to the residents),” a resident said.

“Grabe naman kayo… 30 per cubic nga hirap na tapos gagawin pa ninyong 60 per cubic. Anong akala n'yo sa amin, namumulot ng pera (P30 per cubic meter is already hard enough, and now you want to raise it to P60? Do you think we’re just picking up money from the streets?),” another said.

A Facebook user also expressed frustration, saying, “Isinaalang-alang man lang ba ang mga mamamayan ng taga-Tumana? Napaka-mahal na ng dating singil ng patubig sa Tumana, ngayon madodoble pa? Madali lang sa inyo sabihin na lalaki ang singing at magdesisyon ng ganiyan kasi ‘di kayo ang apektado (Were the residents of Tumana even considered? Water fees were already high, and now they are set to double. It must be easy for you to make decisions like this when you’re not the ones affected).”

Meanwhile, Centeno reminded residents that she supports them and said the barangay council is acting in the best interest of Barangay Tumana.

“Hindi n'yo po ako kalaban, kakampi n'yo po ako. Sana magtulungan tayo para sa ikakaganda ng Barangay Tumana (I am not your opponent; I am on your side. I hope we can work together for the improvement of Barangay Tumana),” she said.

In Dec. 2025, Manila Water cut off the water supply in the barangay due to unpaid obligations.

The barangay’s water debt reportedly ballooned to P37,192,199.98 after the alleged failure of both the current and previous barangay captains to settle outstanding payments.

To immediately restore service, Mayor Maan Teodoro fast-tracked the passage of an ordinance at the Sangguniang Panlungsod allocating P15 million to partially settle the debt with Manila Water.

After personally handing over the payment, Teodoro requested the immediate restoration of water service to the 13 common water points in Barangay Tumana.

The mayor and Marikina 1st District Rep. Marcy Teodoro personally witnessed the resumption of water service in the area, with the mayor vowing to hold accountable those responsible for the water supply disruption.