Manila Water, Maynilad to resume disconnection activities in August

Water concessionaires are set to resume disconnection activities in August for billing statement released under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

According to both Manila Water Co. Inc. and Maynilad Water Services Inc., customers will have until July 31, 2020 to fully settle their billings accumulated under the ECQ.

Both companies earlier said they will push back the deadline for payments given the quarantine measures put in place to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

Manila Water Corporate Communications head Jeric Sevilla said disconnection activities will start August 1 for non-lifeline customers, and September 1 for lifeline customers or residential households consuming 10 cubic meters or less per month.

"For residential, ine-expect natin na majority tataas [ang billing statement for June], pero 'yung mga commercial establishments tsaka industrial establishments bababa ito," he said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV.

Sevilla said residential customers can expect an increase of 7 to 15% in their June bill to reflect adjustments during the quarantine period, while commercial and industrial customers can expect a decrease of 20 to 30%.

This was mirrored by Maynilad Business Area spokesperson Zmel Grabillo, who said the same schedule will be followed by the company.

"Parehong-pareho, pati 'yung extension natin na ipinatupad," he said in a separate interview on Dobol B sa News TV.

Grabillo noted, however, that while disconnection notices will arrive, customers will still be given enough time to settle their balances.

"Kahit naman dumating 'yung July 31 at hindi nagawang magbayad ng ating mga kababayan, hindi naman sila agad-agad puputulan gaya ng inaakala ng iba," he said.

"Kami po ay magpapadala muna ng Notice of Disconnection at ito naman ay tatagal pa ng isang linggo bago ipatupad," added Grabillo.

Both companies earlier said they will begin meter reading and bills delivery in June. --KBK, GMA News