Disconnection notice covers 2 months of overdue accounts – Maynilad

MANILA, Philippines — Maynilad Water Services Inc. yesterday clarified that the notice of disconnection only covers customers with overdue accounts over the past two months after netizens received a text message that it would implement service cuts starting Oct. 1.

In an interview with The STAR, Maynilad Corporate Communications head Jennifer Rufo said the water concessionaire is now reviewing the text blast amid the confusion that it caused among customers.

“Maynilad only implements service disconnection for customers who have over two months of overdue accounts; it does not implement disconnection immediately,” she said.

“In fact, customers can go to our branches to sign a promissory note arrangement if they cannot pay their bills immediately,” she added.

Based on the text message of Maynilad, it will implement water service disconnection even during holidays and weekends.

“We are now talking internally if the text message caused alarm to the customers,” Rufo said.

The new policy was in compliance with the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) issued by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), according to the Maynilad official.

“There is a new IRR issued by our regulatory office, MWSS, which was published in August; in other words, since this is an IRR, we have to comply with it,” she said.

Only seven days are covered by the exemption on water disconnection, according to Rufo.

“These are Dec. 24, 25, 31, Jan. 1, Holy Wednesday, Holy Thursday and Good Friday, so besides these seven days, every day of the year, the disconnection is allowed for over two months of overdue account,” she said.