MWSS-RO imposes P42.6-M penalty vs Maynilad

The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System-Regulatory Office (MWSS-RO) on Friday announced it has imposed a fine against Maynilad Water Services Inc. for failure to provide uninterrupted services for thousands of customers within the Putatan Water Treatment Plant and Poblacion Water Treatment Plant supply zones.

At a virtual press briefing, MWSS-RO chief regulator Patrick Ty said the agency issued Resolution No. 2026-04-CA, imposing a financial penalty on Maynilad amounting to  P42,569,790.85.

The fine was imposed “following the prolonged water service interruptions that occurred in the southern portion of the West Concession Area in February 2026.”

Ty said that based on the evidence gathered by the agency, “the MWSS RO found that Maynilad failed to meet its service obligation of providing an uninterrupted 24-hour supply of water at a minimum pressure of seven pounds per square inch to 98,331 customers within the Putatan Water Treatment Plant and Poblacion Water Treatment Plant supply zones.”

The MWSS-RO chief said the penalty will be implemented in the form of bill rebates equivalent to P432.92 per affected water service connection, “to be reflected in customers’ water bills by April 2026.”

“Further details regarding the nature, scope, and procedures of the rebate program will be discussed during a Public Information Drive (PIDr) to be conducted by the MWSS RO in coordination with Maynilad on March 27, 2026,” Ty said.

“In addition, the MWSS RO has directed Maynilad to fast-track the implementation of its proposed solutions to address service interruptions affecting its customers in the south of Metro Manila, and to ensure the continuity and reliability of water supply within its Service Area,” he added.

In a statement, Maynilad said it acknowledges the decision of the MWSS-RO “imposing a penalty related to water service interruptions that affected portions of the southern part of its concession area during the recent Amihan season.”

“Maynilad will comply with the decision of the MWSS Regulatory Office,” it said.

The water concessionaire explained that the interruptions were associated with weather-driven changes in raw water conditions in Laguna Lake, which required operational adjustments in our treatment facilities, including reductions in plant production levels to ensure that treated water continued to comply with the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water. 

“These conditions resulted in reduced treatment plant output during the period,” Maynilad said.

“We continue to implement operational improvements and infrastructure upgrades to strengthen the reliability of water supply in the southern portion of our concession area, particularly during periods when weather conditions affect raw water intake from Laguna Lake,” it said. —AOL, GMA Integrated News