Water users to pay for SC-imposed fines on Manila Waterhome/Opinion/Op-Ed Columns/Water users to pay for SC-imposed fines on Manila WaterMANILA Water Co., Inc. is threatening its water subscribers with an unconscionable 780-percent increase in water rates, or about P26.70 per cubic meter, if the Supreme Court (SC) will not reverse its recent decision imposing a P921-million fine on the concessionaire. This is nothing but blackmail and undue influence on the forthcoming resolution of their motion for reconsideration pending before the Supreme Court. Voting 12-0, the justices found Maynilad, Manila Water and MWSS liable for violation of Section 8 of the Philippine Clean Water Act (Republic Act 9275). Section 8 of Clean Water ActThe pertinent section that the water concessionaires (and their regulator MWSS) violated pertains to domestic sewage collection, treatment and disposal. It is a subsidiary of the country’s oldest conglomerate, Ayala Corp.Judging by Manila Water’s pronouncements this week, their water subscribers will pay for these Supreme Court- imposed fines.

Source: Manila Times October 11, 2019 19:52 UTC