Maynilad to BF Homes water administrator: Pay up

The Maynilad Water Services Inc. said it is ready to connect 50,000 households in BF Homes subdivision to its water network only if the subdivision’s water system administrator settles its unpaid bills.

In a letter to the General Government Administration Office of Malacañang, Maynilad president Fiorello Estuar said the water company is willing to resume service to Philippine Waterworks Construction Corp. (PWCC) only if the firm’s the unpaid bills amounting to P5 million are paid.

Maynilad used to supply water to BF Homes through PWCC, which operates the subdivision’s water system, but was later forced to disconnect the service due to PWCC’s non-payment of arrears.

"Another option is to deal directly with the homeowners associations, provided the (subdivision’s) developer turns over the water system to them. These have been relayed to the concerned parties through the intercession of Mayor Florencio Bernabe of Parañaque City," Estuar said.

Maynilad has been negotiating with the developers or owners of BF Homes since 2002 so it can begin supplying water to residents, but these efforts were rebuffed even after Maynilad got the assistance of Bernabe’s water crisis committee.

The developer of BF Homes refuses to give Maynilad the right-of-way to connect the subdivision to its network, preventing the water company from serving the subdivision’s residents.

Maynilad recently successfully connected 2,750 households in Tahanan Village, Jackielouville, Mon-El, Goodwill 3, Maywood, Teoville 1, 2, and 3 and Meliton subdivisions and 201 commercial establishments along President’s Avenue and Dr. Santos Avenue, after it re-energized the 750-mm main line along President’s Avenue on the eastern part of Barangay BF.

The ceremonial pipe opening on March 2 was led by President Arroyo, Bernabe and Parañaque Rep. Ed Zialcita.

Meanwhile, the city government said affected residents should press the subdivision developers to allow the homeowners associations of each of the 70 zones to negotiate directly with Maynilad.

"The Parañaque City government is willing to assist in these negotiations just as it had successfully assisted the different subdivisions along the President’s Ave. leading to BF Homes, that are now enjoying ample water supply," City Administrator Noli Aldip said.

Aldip added that the city government has done its part by working with Maynilad to bring water to the subdivision’s commercial center and some households in Phase I. – Rhodina Villanueva