MWSS execs deny getting fat bonuses

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) yesterday denied the accusations made by its labor union that its top officials are receiving hefty compensation and bonuses despite a new law regulating the provision of benefits to employees of government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs).

In a statement, the MWSS Labor Association claimed that top officials of the agency are getting perks and other financial benefits.

The union said that MWSS directors had fixed their per diem compensation at P14,500 and would schedule four meetings a day so they could collect P58,000 in allowances for a day’s work. The union also alleged that MWSS officials have allocated funds for ghost consultants.

The employees claimed that that the Board of Trustees reduced the workers’ meal allowances from P150 to P3 per day so that they could keep the excess.

“The allegations are all untrue,” said MWSS chairman Ramon Alikpala in an interview.

He said the board earned the ire of the labor union after it passed a resolution stating that all benefits received by MWSS employees with no legal basis should be removed.