Press Release
June 2, 2022

Tuloy-tuloy na suplay ng tubig, tiyakin--Poe

Pinatitiyak ni Sen. Grace Poe sa mga water concessionaire na gawin ang lahat ng kanilang makakaya para makapagsuplay ng tuloy-tuloy na daloy ng tubig sa kanilang mga nasasakupan sa Metro Manila at karatig na mga lalawigan.

Ito ay sa gitna ng pagbaba ng lebel ng tubig sa Angat Dam at iba pang dam maliban sa Ambuklao at Ipo sa kabila ng mga pag-ulan.

"Hindi dapat maging normal ang kawalan ng tubig sa panahon ng tag-ulan. Kailanman, hindi dapat mga konsyumer ang uminda ng kakulangan ng mga concessionaire na mag-imbak ng tubig para matugunan ang lumalaking pangangailangan ng taumbayan," pahayag ni Poe.

"Hindi rin nararapat na maranasan ng mga residente ang miserableng buhay dahil walang tubig sa kanilang mga gripo sa mga rasong maaari namang maisaayos ng mga concessionaire," diin pa ni Poe.

Matatandaang nitong Pebrero, pinatawan ng parusa ng Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) Regulatory Office ang Maynilad Water Services Inc. (Maynilad) dahil sa mahabang water service interruptions mula Disyembre 2021 hanggang Pebrero 2022.

Ipinaalala naman ni Poe, na nagsponsor ng renewal ng prangkisa ng Maynilad at Manila Water Co. Inc. noong isang taon, na may obligasyon ang mga kumpanya na tiyakin ang malinis, kalidad at maaasahang suplay ng tubig.

Binigyang-diin rin ng mambabatas na mandato ng mga concessionaire na isaayos ang kanilang mga pasilidad, pipeline at equipment para sa epektibo at maaasahang serbisyo.

Dapat ding tiyakin ng mga kumpanya na limitado lamang ang mga service interruptions at nakalatag ang mga mekanismo para sa reklamo at konsultasyon ng mga konsyumer.

"Hindi lamang mga tahanan ang apektado ng mga water interruption kundi maging mga negosyong nagsisimula pa lamang makabangon dahil sa lockdown. Ang ilang oras na wala silang tubig ay malaking pabigat," paliwanag ni Poe.

Nanawagan si Poe sa gobyerno at mga concessionaire ng magsagawa ng mga hakbangin para tiyakin ang backup supply sources.

"Inaasahan nating reresolbahin ng mga kumpanya ng tubig ang mga balakid sa kanilang kapasidad na tumupad sa kanilang obligasyon," dagdag ni Poe.

"Ang bawat pinaghirapang halaga na iniipon ng ating mga konsyumer para ipambayad sa bill ng tubig kada buwan ay dapat lamang tumbasan ng malinis at tuloy-tuloy na suplay ng tubig," dagdag ni Poe.

Kasabay nito, inaasahan ni Poe na natanggap na ng MWSS Regulatory Office ang mga plano at programa ng mga water concessionaire para sa susunod na rate-rebasing exercise at periodic performance review na pagbabatayan ng tariff rates na ipapataw para sa kanilang serbisyo.

"Ang pagkakaroon ng malinis na suplay ng tubig ay pangunahin nating karapatan at umaasa tayong matutugunan ng MWSS ang mandato nito bilang regulator para tiyaking hindi talo ang ating mga konsyumer," paalala ni Poe.


Poe asks concessionaires to ensure continuous water supply

Sen. Grace Poe asked the major water concessionaires to do their utmost to avoid water service interruptions in their coverage areas in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

Despite the rains, water level at Angat Dam decreased, as well as in other dams except Ambuklao and Ipo. However, water level in these dams remains below normal as of June 2.

"Having waterless days amid the rains shouldn't be the normal. Consumers should never bear the brunt of concessionaires' inability to store sufficient volumes of water to meet reasonable demands," Poe reminded.

"Residents don't deserve to live miserably, as their taps run dry for reasons that can be duly managed in the first place," the senator stressed.

In February this year, the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) Regulatory Office penalized Maynilad Water Services Inc. (Maynilad) for its unusually prolonged water service interruptions from December 2021 to February 2022.

Poe, who sponsored Maynilad and Manila Water Co. Inc.'s renewal of franchises last year, said the firms should fulfill their obligations in delivering clean, quality and reliable water services to consumers.

The senator pointed out that concessionaires are mandated to modify or improve their facilities, pipelines and equipment for an efficient and reliable service. The two companies must also ensure that service interruptions would be minimal and that mechanisms are in place for consumer complaints and stakeholder consultations.

"Water interruptions affect not only households, but also struggling businesses that are just beginning to recover from the lockdowns. A few hours without water could be disruptive," she explained.

Poe said the government and concessionaires should also embark on timely efforts in developing concrete backup supply sources.

"Water firms are expected to address recurring strains in their capacity to deliver water to our people," Poe said.

"Consumers who strive hard to set aside hard-earned sums to pay for their water bills should also get their fair share of clean water flowing without interruption," Poe added.

Likewise, the MWSS Regulatory Office should have received the plans and programs of the water concessionaires for the next rate-rebasing exercise, the periodic performance review that also sets the tariff rates that can be charged for their services.

"Water is a basic right and we hope the MWSS fulfills its role as a regulator to ensure that consumers aren't shortchanged," Poe said.

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