The Customer Service Regulation Area (CSRA) of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System-Regulatory Office (MWSS-RO) spearheaded  a public dialogue with People’s Organizations (POs) and water cooperatives on September 17, 2014 at the Manila Water Business Area,  Mandaluyong City  in pursuit of finding solution to the escalating number of complaints related to bulk and clustered meters scheme.

 Atty. Vincent Pepito F. Yambao, Jr., Deputy Administrator for CSRA said the public dialogue aims to raise the level of awareness of customers under bulk metering, and educate and solicit feedback from them on the practices and policies of the two concessionaires and private water operators in the provision of water and sewerage services under a bulk meter arrangement.

 Speaking before the participants, Yambao explained that most prevalent complaints received by MWSS-RO come from residents in communities where POs are the operators of the water system and their main concern is the high tariff being imposed upon them.

Chief Regulator Joel Yu of the MWSS-RO urged representatives of POs and water cooperatives to partake in the public dialogue to ensure that their concerns are heard and addressed.

 He explained that the public dialogue is a venue where customers will not only raise their pressing concerns but also be engaged in a discussion  with MWSS-RO and other invited government agencies whose mandate and functions cover various matters related to water service to improve policies that will benefit them.

Yu said that the MWSS-RO wants to hear ideas and inputs of consumers and stakeholders in order to push for better reforms on water and sewerage services.

 “I hope that this public dialogue leads us to a clear path on how we can confront the challenges and improve policies and guidelines to protect the customers,” he added.

 Invited as resource persons in the public dialogue were representatives from National Housing Authority led by Deputy Area Management Officer Architech Ma. Theresa Oblepias, Community Relations Chief Ophelia Ros and Officer-in-Charge Rosalinda Nartates. Also present were Mandaluyong City Administrator Ernesto Victorino and Cooperative Development Authority Deputy Executive Director Giovani Platero.

 The public dialogue is part of a series of activities of the MWSS Customers Service Regulation Area in line with its commitment to the Governance Commission for GOCCs in upholding Customers Welfare and Protection Services and sustaining a total organizational commitment to greater customer satisfaction

 The bulk and clustered meters forum is the third leg of a series. Similar dialogues were also held on June 26 and August 6, 2014 at Orosa Hall, Balara Filter’s Compound in Quezon City with homeowners association and condominium and high-rise building administrator and developers, respectively.