Manila Water may deduct P534M from customers' bills starting June —MWSS chief

As part of the P1 billion fine for the recent water crisis, the Manila Water Company was ordered to deduct P534 million in penalty from the bills of its customers.

Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV on Wednesday, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) administrator Reynaldo Velasco said the deduction could take effect in June.

"Pag-uusapan pa ng [MWSS] Regulatory Office at ng Manila Water yung mechanism nito. In most probability, sa June na ito ma-effect," Velasco said.

Velasco: 'Yung ?534-M (penalty) starting June siguro babawasin sa bill ng mga apektado.

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) April 24, 2019

According to the MWSS, the P534-million sanction on Manila Water was for not meeting service requirements.

Velasco clarified that the P534 million is on top of the P500 million that will be returned to consumers, as promised by Manila Water itself, through its one-time bill waiver scheme implemented in April.

On Wednesday, MWSS announced it has imposed more than P1-billion fine on Manila Water Company in connection with the recent water crisis in Metro Manila and Rizal province. 

Velasco said the P600 million of the P1 billion will serve as fund for the development of a new water source. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News