Maynilad, Manila Water ordered to extend suspension of disconnection activities during NCR MECQ

The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System Regulatory Office (MWSS-RO) has ordered concessionaires Maynilad and Manila Water to extend the suspension of service disconnection activities for the entire duration of modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in Metro Manila until the end of August.

In a statement on Friday, MWSS RO said service disconnection activities should be suspended “until such time that the MECQ has been lifted, and to ensure water supply availability within their service areas.”

The National Capital Region and Laguna will be placed under MECQ from August 21 to 31. This follows the ECQ, the strictest quarantine classification, in the said areas from August 6 to 20.

MWSS RO earlier directed the water companies to suspend disconnection activities while the NCR was under ECQ.

“We will comply with our regulators' directive. Maynilad will suspend service disconnections during the MECQ, but meter reading activities will continue so that the bills customers receive bear their actual consumption. All meter readers are required to follow strict health and safety protocols,” Maynilad said in a statement.

Manila Water, on the other hand, said it will abide by the directive of the MWSS RO.

The MWSS RO, likewise, requested the continued cooperation and assistance of concerned local government units, as the concessionaires conduct their meter reading and billing activities during the period of MECQ.

“This is to enable the concessionaires to bill their customers based on actual water consumption, and to detect underground and after-the-meter leaks early, in order to prevent bill shock,” the agency said.

“In this critical time when public health relies on access to clean, safe, and sufficient water supply, the MWSS RO enjoins the public to conserve water by using this scarce resource responsibly and intelligently,” it said.

“Rest assured that the agency will continue to implement proactive measures to make water available, accessible, and affordable for everyone, in its efforts to alleviate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,” it added.

Maynilad currently serves customers in the west zone which covers the cities of Caloocan, Las Piñas, Makati, Malabon, Manila, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Parañaque, Pasay, Quezon, Valenzuela. It also services certain areas in Cavite such as the cities of Bacoor, Cavite, and Imus; and the towns of Kawit, Noveleta, and Rosario.

Manila Water, on the other hand, is the east zone concessionaire which services 23 cities and municipalities including Mandaluyong, Makati, Pasig, Pateros, San Juan, Taguig, Marikina, and parts of Quezon City and Manila, as well as the towns of Angono, Baras, Binangonan, Cainta, Cardona, Jalajala, Morong, Pililia, Rodriguez, Tanay, Taytay, Teresa, San Mateo, and Antipolo in the province of Rizal. -MDM, GMA News