MWSS in hot water over claims of anomaly

The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System is taking heat from consumers and its employees amid allegations of nontransparency in setting water rates and the anomalous hiring of consultants.

The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) and its allies will hold day-long protest actions today against the proposals of Manila Water Company Inc. and Maynilad Water Services Inc. to raise basic charges, Bayan officials announced Thursday.

In an interview, Bayan secretary general Renato M. Reyes Jr. slammed the MWSS Regulatory Office (MWSS RO) for not disclosing to the public the concessionaires’ business plans and details of their rate hike proposals.

Manila Water is proposing an increase of P5.83 per cubic meter while Maynilad is seeking an additional P8.58 per cubic meter.

“Aside from consumer’s wallets, one of the casualties of privatization is transparency,” Reyes said. “The entire process of determining water rates is described simply as ‘negotiations between government and the concessionaires’, with no real public participation or real hearings.”

Bayan raised the matter during public hearings held earlier this month, with representatives of the concessionaires’ saying that it is up to the MWSS RO whether to disclose the details or not.

But MWSS RO officials said the agency was still studying the matter. The regulatory body wants to wrap up evaluation of the proposals within the month and publish the new rates—which may entail a reduction or increase of current rates—as early as the first week of July.

Reyes said members of Bayan and the Water for the People Network would hold a sign-up drive at an MRT station, pickets in front of concessionaires’ offices, as well as a noise barrage in various parts of the metropolis.

In the meantime, MWSS Administrator Gerardo Esquivel in a statement lamented “the continuous and baseless criticism” being heaped on him and his administration, particularly by disgruntled members of the MWSS Labor Association.

The group alleged that, over the past two years, consultants and job-order workers have been anomalously hired.

Esquivel acknowledged the discontent among MWSS employees “considering that the said employees used to enjoy at least 32 months in bonuses before President Aquino appointed him into office in February 2011.

“The new MWSS management entered at a time when there was a need for much reform,” he said. “It was a big challenge to institute reforms and discipline within the system towards the mainstream of good governance, especially in light of significantly reduced benefits, hence the demoralization.”