MWSS-RO penalizes Maynilad for water service delivery interruptions

The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System Regulatory Office (MWSS-RO) has penalized West zone concessionaire, Maynilad Water Services, Inc., for its repeated failure to provide sufficient water supply to customers.

“Maynilad Water Services, Inc. was found to have breached its service obligation to ensure the availability of an uninterrupted twenty-four (24)-hour water supply at a minimum pressure of seven (7) pounds per square inch (psi) to 165,518 connected customers within the Putatan Water Treatment Plant and Poblacion Water Treatment Plant Supply Zones,” MWSS chief regulator Patrick Lester Ty said in a statement on Monday.

The affected areas are parts of Las Piñas City, Muntinlupa City, Parañaque City, Imus City, and Bacoor City.

This move came after MWSS investigated the water supply conditions, as it monitored prolonged and recurring water service interruptions in the southern portion of the West Concession Area in March 2026.

Under Regulatory Office Resolution No. 2026-06-CA, MWSS imposes a P54,283,839.29 penalty on Maynilad.

“The penalty will be implemented in the form of bill rebates equivalent to Three Hundred Twenty-Seven Pesos and 96/100 (P327.96) per affected water service connection, to be reflected in customers’ water bills by May 2026,” MWSS said.

The agency also directed Maynilad to expedite the implementation of its proposed solutions to address the service interruptions affecting its customers and to ensure the continuity and reliability of water supply within its service area.

In a statement, Maynilad acknowledged the MWSS-RO's decision and vowed to comply with it.

It said the interruptions were associated with more prolonged and challenging variability in raw water quality in Laguna Lake during the Amihan season, "which required sustained operational adjustments at our treatment facilities to ensure compliance with the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water."

The water concessionaire said these conditions resulted in reduced production levels over the period.

"We note that the challenges affecting raw water conditions persisted longer than initially anticipated. In response, Maynilad has been implementing additional operational and network measures to help stabilize supply and improve service reliability in the affected areas," it added.

Maynilad said it will work closely with the MWSS-RO in implementing the rebate program for affected customers and providing the necessary information through the scheduled public information drive.

"We remain focused on strengthening the resilience of our southern water supply system, particularly during periods when weather conditions affect raw water intake from Laguna Lake," it further said.

Meanwhile, the Muntinlupa local government thanked the MWSS-RO for paying attention to the water woes of its residents.

"Although the hardship experienced by Muntinlupeños cannot be reversed or alleviated by the Fifty Four Million Two Hundred Eighty Three Thousand Eight Hundred Thirty Nine Pesos and 29/100 (Php 54,283,839.29) fine that Maynilad will pay, it is enough to motivate the water concessionnaire to work harder to provide water to their subscribers continuously as stipulated in their franchise," Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon said.

"However, it is hoped that this recognition of Maynilad's failure will also serve as a basis for government to further look into the reason given by the water concessionnaire that the quality of water in Laguna de Bai is affecting the processing of water distributed to its customers," he added.

Biazon said concerned agencies should take action to determine "if the quality of water in the lake is such that it is really the cause of the difficulties of processing it for domestic consumption and look for ways to address that concern." —LDF/AOL, GMA News