By CHARISSA ATIENZA MWSS chief Regulator Patrick ing, Speaker Gloria Macapagal Ar- Manila Water president Ferdinand

Lester Ty told the joint panel that royo said there is need to Pass a law dela Cruz, for his part, said they are
Lawmakers grilled yesterday the they cannot impose fines and pen: empo',,iedng ttle MW€S to run after '\villing" to face the Penalties. He
offi cials of Metropolitan Waterwork alties against the Manila Water, de- the ening water concessionaires. even apologized over the weeklong
.my-
and Sewerage System (MWSS) and spite violation of concessionaire's "What [Rep.] Winnie Castelo water shortage. "I am holding
the Manila Water Company Inc., agreement. was whispering to me iq per- self fully accountable for the sudden
prodding them to resign for their Citng the term of the conces- haps in the law, we have to add drop in our service levels to your
all€ged "grave irfcompetence and 'sionaire's agreement, he said Ma- a penalty provision for those who constifuents whom we have cbnsis-
negligencel' over the l'catastroph ic" nila Water "has violated their man- failed to compli wlth some Parts tently served over the past 21 years
water shortage that affected some date to provide 24/7 water." of the co;rcession agreement. He with 2417 water availability and
parts in l4etro Manila and Rizal. But, he said the I4WSS Regula- says that that seems to be what's sufficient water pressure. March 6,
At yesterday's joint hearing on tory Office cannot impose fines and missinq in the law. So that is not 2019 is a date I will not forget as
the water crisit some members of penalties. an issue with the presentatioh , president cif Manila watet" he told
the House Committee on Metro Ma- "if we try that we can be sued that's an issue of the deficiency in during the hearing.
nila Development, chaired by. Que- in courl" Ty said. the law," she said. He said Manila Water vowed to
zon City Rep. Winston Castelo and" "What we can do is we can disaF -"Well, Manila Water admitted that further increase water avallabilib;'
the House Committee on Housing low the expenses that the conces- they were delayed in the cardona for eight to 12 hours at ground
and Urban Development, chaired sionaire incurred during this Ume. plant. That's what Fred Castro was level to 99 percent of their service
by Negros Occidental Rep. Albee That is the limit of the Rqgulatory saying itb a good thing that in the coverage by end oi lvlarch and
Benltez said the officials of MWSS Office," Ty said, citing that the "tar- beginnin$ Manila Wat€r admitted provide more sustainable relief to
and the Nlanila Water should re- iff adjustment" of the concession- their shortcomings. The hearing is no water areas beyond tinkering
linquish their posts following their air€ will be affected following the not to find out whol to blame but by developing localised network
failure to carry outthelr obligations water interruption. rather how to move forward," Ar- solutions to being water to high or
to the public. At the sidelines gf the joint hear- royo pointed out. hard to reach areas.