SPD water supply cut off over 3-month bill

MANILA, Philippines - The water supply for the headquarters of Southern Police District (SPD) in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig was temporarily cut Monday because of an unsettled three-month water bill amounting to nearly P300,000.

Water supply was restored about 11 a.m. yesterday, however, after the SPD “promised” to pay the P280,974.94 bill by Friday, Jeric Sevilla of Manila Water Co. Inc. said.

“We were forced to disconnect the service because it has been three months, and as of (Monday) we have not received any commitment on how they plan to settle it,” Sevilla said, spokesman of the water concessionaire.

SPD spokesperson Superintendent Jenny Tecson said the brief water interruption did not affect their operation because the office has its own water tank.

She also clarified that they have the check to pay the dues as of Monday. “We just had a little delay,” she said.

According to Manila Water, SPD’s average water consumption reaches more than P90,000 monthly. The breakdown is: P92,466 for March; P98,510 for April; P91,067 for May; and P99,719 for June.

Sevilla said the figures are “normal because SPD is a complex (with about seven buildings).” Tecson added the amount of water consumption depends on their alert level. The whole police force is sometimes required to stay at the headquarters, she said.

Tecson denied that SPD shoulders the water bill of the illegal settlers living in the police compound, but said they will “look into” the issue.