Manila Water pays penalty in labor case

MANILA, Philippines — East zone concessionaire Manila Water Company Inc. has paid a P100,000 penalty in connection with a case filed with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) regarding its Ilugin Treatment Plant in Pasig City.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange yesterday, Manila Water said the case was closed “in view of its voluntary compliance by paying the P100,000 penalty.”

It added that DOLE further acknowledged Manila Water’s explanation, saying that it did not violate DOLE’s occupational safety and health (OSH) standards.

Manila Water clarified that the penalty stemmed from an alleged violation of DOLE’s OSH Standards in its Department Order No. 198-18 and the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 11058 entitled “An Act Strengthening Compliance with Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Standards and Providing Penalties for Violations Thereof”.

“Manila Water remains committed to continuously comply with the general labor and occupational health and safety standards and other applicable rules and regulations of the Department of Labor and Employment,” the company said.

According to the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System-Regulatory Office (MWSS-RO), Manila Water’s Ilugin sewage treatment plant is part of the North and South Pasig Sewerage System Project.

The project collects and treats the sewage flows of Pasig City, and portions of Mandaluyong City and Quezon City.

The MWSS-RO monitors the compliance of these STPs with the national standards on wastewater treatment to protect the health and safety of the public and the environment.

Manila Water earlier reported progress in the construction of its Hinulugang Taktak STP in Antipolo City expected to be operational by December this year. Construction is already over 60 percent complete.

The company noted that the construction of the STP at the Hinulugang Taktak Falls in Antipolo City is part of its massive push to provide top-quality sanitation services to its customers in the East Zone of Metro Manila and Rizal.

Manila Water serves the East Zone which encompasses parts of Makati, Mandaluyong, Pasig, Pateros, San Juan, Taguig, Marikina, most parts of Quezon City, portions of Manila, as well as several towns in Rizal.