Bernabe wants lower water rates for BF Homes

Mayor Florencio Bernabe Jr. is asking Maynilad Water Services Inc. to set lower water rates for BF Homes Parañaque residents, who will soon enjoy water dripping from their household faucets after being waterless for many years.

According to him, the city government, homeowners, subdivision developers, and Maynilad representatives have yet to agree on the rates.

“P49 (per cubic meter) would be acceptable,” Bernabe told The STAR, hoping that Maynilad and subdivision developer BF Homes Inc. will consider the amount as the most reasonable rate.

He said he hopes to lower the developer’s proposed price of P51 per cubic meter P2 so as not to make it too expensive for residents.

BF Homes, a huge residential subdivision of some 10,000 households, had long been waiting for the government to help them solve their water problems.

After filing petitions and sending letters to Malacañang, President Arroyo eventually issued an order instructing Maynilad to move in.

Homeowner’s groups and other organizations however lost focus on the water issue for several months because of leadership problems within the United BF Homeowners Association Inc. (UBFHAI).

The matter was recently supposedly resolved after new officials and board members were elected under the supervision of the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board.

Bernabe, who swore them into office, said he is fully supportive of the new officers, who may now focus on BF Homes’ water concerns.

The elected UBFHAI officials are Leon Arcero, president; Rolando Navarro, vice president; Belinda Lagui, secretary; Vic Lasala, treasurer; Rudy Palpalatoc, auditor; and Dr. Renato Bernabe, public relations officer.

“We can now focus on the water issue,” he said hoping that continuous open discussions and dialogues between all concerned parties will bear positive results – including affordable water prices for residents.