SC cuts fines vs. Maynilad, Manila Water, MWSS for violation of Clean Water Act

Published October 23, 2022 11:04 AM By GMA News

The Supreme Court cut down the fines imposed on water concessionaires Maynilad Water Services Inc., Manila Water, and Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) for their noncompliance with the Clean Water Act.

From the previous P921 million, the SC reduced the fine to P202 million, according to a 24 Oras Weekend report on Saturday.

The SC in 2019 fined Maynilad and MWSS

P921,464,184, and separately fined Manila Water and MWSS the same amount.

The high court said that the water concessionaires were “found liable for violation of Sec. 8 of the Philippine Clean Water Act.”

Section 8 requires the connection of existing sewage lines in all subdivisions, condominiums, commercial centers and other establishments, including households, to an available sewerage system.

In 2009, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) slapped a P29.4-million fine

on MWSS, Maynilad, and Manila Water for their alleged failure to install and maintain wastewater treatment facilities within five years after the Clean Water Act was enacted in 2004.

The CA upheld the DENR's decision in 2013.

In separate motions for reconsideration, Maynilad and Manila Water asked the SC in 2019 to reverse its decision, saying it was "impossible" to establish a complete centralized sewage system within five years.

On Friday, Manila Water said in a statement that it is “reinforcing its commitment to the Philippine Clean Water Act as the company operates more wastewater treatment plants to ensure that domestic wastewater from households does not contribute to the pollution of rivers and other water bodies.”

Manila Water said it now operates 41 treatment facilities, increasing the company’s wastewater treatment capacity by 925%, from the previous 40 million liters per day (MLD) to 410 MLD at present.

It added that it is set to build 12 additional single sewage treatment plants (STP), and targets to have a total of 53 wastewater facilities with 1,156 MLD treatment capacity that will cover 100% of its concession area.

Maynilad, on the other hand, earlier said it was building several STPs amounting to P29 billion in Caloocan, Las Piñas, Central Manila, Valenzuela, and Muntinlupa.

It said that the completion of its comprehensive wastewater management plan “will ensure full sewerage coverage in our concession area which will help to considerably reduce the pollution load into Manila Bay.” —Giselle Ombay/KG, GMA News

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