STATEMENT ON WATER SITUATION

December 16, 2019

As consumers, our primary concern is access to clean, reliable and affordable supply of water. The ongoing controversy on the water distribution concessionaires is diverting attention from the real problem which is the supply of raw water. This is the responsibility of government.

 

The recent ranting of the President has created a destabilizing situation that threatens to disrupt the water services of the whole population of Mega-Manila. The MWSS has already admitted that they have no capacity to take over the operations of Manila Water and Maynilad.

 

To put in proper perspective, the privatization of the water distribution services of the MWSS during the administration of President Ramos was to address the water crisis of the late 90s. The historical facts show that this objective was successfully achieved and received multiple awards as an exemplar in bid process design and transparency in public private partnership.

 

We recognize the fact that prior to privatization there were approximately 780 thousand service connections compare to over about 2.5 million to date, and the demand is even growing at a fast rate.

 

We also understand that water distribution entails costs and billions in investments to build the infrastructure needed to deliver clean water to our homes and establishments. Water is only free when it falls from the clouds and in natural bodies of water. Bringing and treating water for safe consumption will need massive investments to build thousands of kilometers of pipe networks to achieve the water services we enjoy today.

 

We also agree with the rationale of extending the concession agreements to build the required sewerage services to comply with the Clean Water Act. More so, we understand the rationale of an extended schedule to avoid a sudden adjustment of tariffs in accordance with the concession contracts.

 

In this light, we call on government, the regulators and the concessionaires stop the destructive rhetoric and instead focus on rationale and practical solutions to quickly address a looming WATER SUPPLY CRISIS!