Reconnection fee authorized by law

This is in reference to Rolando Arcenilla’s letter titled “Unreasonable water service reconnection fee” (Inquirer, 2/9/13).

We would like to inform Arcenilla and the public that the reconnection fee being charged by Maynilad is based on the 2008 IRR (implementing rules and regulations) of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS). This directive covers the two concessionaires of MWSS.

The reconnection fee was intentionally made significant to deter late payments and encourage customers to pay their water bills within the 60-day grace period mandated by the MWSS.

We firmly believe that 60 days is more than enough time for our customers to settle their water bills. Nonetheless, in cases where our low-income customers have established their inability to pay their bills in full and on time, we allow promissory notes and staggered bill payments.

So while we fully understand and make every effort to accommodate the financial limitations of our marginalized customers, we have to comply with the directives issued by the government. We also have to be fair to our other customers who religiously pay their water bills on time.

—CHERUBIM O. MOJICA
head, Corporate Communications
Maynilad, MWSS Compound
Katipunan Road, Balara, QC