Reports reached authorities that certain groups were taking advantage of residents without individual water connections.
Taguig Mayor Sigfrido Tiñga is now working closely with officials of the Manila Water Company Inc. to eventually provide homes with individual water connections to prevent the proliferation of groups that have been charging residents exorbitant rates of P30 to P35 per cubic meter.
Residents denounced these groups and trooped to the MWCI office in Fort Bonifacio and held a dialogue with the company’s officials led by Taguig-Pateros Area Business Manager Linda Quines.
Councilor Ric Jordan said that the residents were compelled to transact with organizations that were authorized by the MWCI to lay distribution lines that connect to the water company’s sub-lines and operate the waterworks system in designated areas, particularly in Taguig’s second district, through bulk selling.
It was learned that these organizations laid sub-standard distribution lines made of polyethylene plastic, most of which are submerged in dirty, clogged and murky drainage canals.
Jordan, chairman of the City’s Committee on Health and Sanitation, stressed that this is very hazardous to people’s health.
These organizations reportedly charge members P5,000 for membership fee and P30-P35 per cubic meter of water consumed, which is much higher than the P10 to P12 per cubic meter being charged by MWCI to consumers with direct individual connections.
Jordan introduced Resolution No. 172, Series of 2006, "strongly endorsing and fully supporting the sentiment and demand of the people of Taguig for a clean, affordable and direct individual water connection with Manila Water," which was already passed by the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
Local officials including Jordan vowed to fight syndicates that would prey on people who still have no water connections in their very own homes. — Rhodina Villanueva