MWSS creates task force to curb water fees

The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) created yesterday a task force to curb steep water fees in subdivisions after residents complained about alleged excessive charges by owner-developers.

MWSS Administrator Lorenzo Jamora said the formation of the task force was in line with Executive Order 688 issued by President Arroyo in order to ensure that the provisions of Presidential Decree (PD) 1345, which allows the MWSS to take over the water system of private subdivisions and other housing projects, are properly and diligently implemented.

Jamora noted that EO 688 was issued by the President in a bid to make water readily available and affordable to residents of Metro Manila.

“Prior to the signing of the EO 688, there had been numerous complaints coming from residents living inside private subdivisions, particularly in BF Homes Parañaque and Las Piñas, regarding the exorbitant fees being charged from them by the owner-developers,” Jamora said.

 “Aside from the fees for the per-cubic-meter of water being collected from residents, the owner-developers also charge additional fees like service charge,” he also revealed.

Jamora designated his chief of staff, Edgardo Esteban, as the head of the task force.

Under the EO 688, the MWSS is directed to conduct compliance monitoring and inventory of all water systems that should have already been turned over to the water  agency.

MWSS will hold dialogues with the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board, local government units, homeowners’ associations, and owner-developers to discuss the enforcement of EO 688 and to make sure that all the stakeholders agree to a win-win solution on the water supply problem, especially of BF Homes in Parañaque and Las Piñas, which will be serviced by the Maynilad Water Services Inc.  – Katherine Adraneda