Manila Water will face sanctions for alleged concession deal violations —MWSS

The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) administrator on Tuesday said that the Manila Water will face sanctions for violating their concession agreement.

“There are other penalties under the concession agreement that they will have to face,” MWSS administrator Renaldo Velasco said during a press conference.

Despite the voluntary action of the Manila Water to waive the bill of their water crisis-affected consumers in April, Velasco said the Manila Water is still aware of the possible penalties they could face.

“But they are ready, alam naman nila yan. Accepted na there are penalties within the concession agreement that probably the RO (Regulatory Office) will have determined,’ he said.

The assessment of the RO on the possible violations that the Manila Water has committed within the agreement  will be included in the report that the MWSS will submit to Malacañang, Velasco said.

Manila Water customers in the east zone areas were hit by several water interruptions that started on March 6 due to the shortage of the company’s supply.

Movement for Water Security chairperson Ernesto Ordoñez earlier said that Manila Water’s lack of contingency plans caused the water crisis. 

Manila Water president and CEO Ferdinand Dela Cruz said that they are working hard to bring back the 24/7 water service to all of their customers.

“We continue to work with the MWSS—RO and CO (Corporate Office)—in addressing this situation in accordance with the directive of our good president,” Dela Cruz said.

On Monday, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) on Monday filed a complaint against Manila Water before the MWSS asking the latter to impose penalties on the water concessionaire for failing to provide "uninterrupted water service" to its customers as stipulated under their concession agreement with the government. — MDM, GMA News