Some Manila Water customers complain of high water bills despite service interruptions

Despite experiencing water supply interruptions last month, some Manila Water customers have complained of receiving high water bills, according to Bam Alegre's report on Unang Balita on Friday.

From the previous P120, Lei Tatco said their bill last month increased to P250 — an increase of more than 100 percent.

"Yun ang problema. Dapat yata huwag na bayaran," Tatco said.

Tatco said she finds the increase unlikely since only two people live in the house, and that their area was hit by the water shortage.

Some Manila Water customers, meanwhile, have taken to social media to show their high water bills.

Water service interruptions, sometimes lasting for several hours, plagued many Manila Water customers in parts of Metro Manila and Rizal province due to supply and infrastructure problems.

Interviewed on News To Go on Friday, Manila Water communications manager Dittie Galang said they have received complaints of bloated water bills from customers but described these as "isolated."

"Merong isolated complaints kaming nakukuha on a regular basis kahit na nangyari itong water shortage, meron kaming nakukuhang mga ganyang complaints from our customers," she said.

Galang stressed the bills are based on actual readings on water meters for a particular time.

She said high water bills could be caused by leaks in the pipes or faucets that were left open during the service interruption but were left unattended when the water service resumed.

Galang said they welcome questions from their customers.

"Sa amin naman pong parte, kung meron man silang karagdagang questions or gusto nilang paimbestigahan ito, wini-welcome naman po natin ito," she said.

"We see this on a case-to-case basis," she added.

Manila Water, meanwhile, is set to implement a "one-time bill waiver scheme" on affected customers following the service interruption this April. —KBK, GMA News