QC resident furious over P81k water bill

Getting billed with P81,425 for water consumption from March to August during the COVID-19 lockdown has sent a Quezon City resident complaining and furious.

According to Manal Sugadol’s report on “Stand for Truth,” Harold Bautista’s water station in the city has been closed for more than five months while his meter reading has been suspended.

“Sinabi nila kapag may negosyo kayang-kaya, hindi po totoo ‘yun. Hindi porket may negosyo ay kayang-kaya, may pamilya rin kami na kailangang buhayin,” Bautista said.

“Honestly, ang nararamdaman [ko] stress, frustration, galit kasi gipit na ‘yung mga tao lalo pang nagigipit. Walang kita, laking epekto sa negosyo,” he later added.

Last month, Bautista received an P800 bill, which he considered “acceptable.” However, he questioned where the water consumption in his August bill came from.

“Meron silang previous reading, pagdating sa present reading blangko, tapos sa nakalagay sa consumption nila merong 168. So saan nila nakuha ‘yung 168 na consumption kung blank naman ‘yung reading nila. And then ang bill ko is P14,565 to be exact, kahit naka-patay ang metro,” he said.

Manila Water could not answer where Bautista’s consumption rate came from as his meter reading was already closed even before the enhanced community quarantine.—Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News