Manila Water, Maynilad ordered to suspend disconnection activities in areas under ‘granular lockdown’

Concessionaires Manila Water Company Inc. and Maynilad Water Services Inc. were ordered anew to suspend service disconnection activities, this time in areas under Alert Level 5 or granular lockdown.

Water service disconnection activities have been suspended since early August until mid-September as Metro Manila was under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) from August 6 to 20 followed by a prolonged modified ECQ from August 21 until September 15.

The National Capital Region (NCR) shifted to an alert level system with granular lockdowns to be implemented in more targeted areas.

In line with this, the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System-Regulatory Office (MWSS-RO) has required Manila Water and Maynilad Water to suspend all service disconnection activities in areas under under granular lockdown, “until such time that the Alert Level 5 or granular lockdown has been lifted.”

“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 said.

Sought for comment, Manila Water Corporate Communications head Jeric Sevilla said the company suspended disconnection activities until the end of September, “in consideration of our customers given the current high cases of COVID-19.”

Likewise, Maynilad Corporate Communications head Jennifer Rufo said the water distribution utility will not implement service disconnections in areas under Alert Level 5, per the directive of the MWSS RO.

“Accounts with arrears will receive a ‘Notice of Disconnection,’ but this is only to serve as early reminder of unsettled bills so that customers have time to prepare and avoid possible disconnection by next month if the suspension is lifted.

Maynilad is open to offering easier payment terms for customers who are unable to immediately settle their arrears in full,” she said.

The MWSS-RO, meanwhile, called on the public to conserve water by using it responsibly and intelligently.

“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,” it said.

“As the MWSS RO has previously 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,” it said.—AOL, GMA News