30 July 2020
PRESS RELEASE

MWSS Directs Concessionaires to Extend Grace Period for Customers’ Water Bills

In light of the current Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation, the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) Board of Trustees (BOT) has directed Manila Water Company, Inc. (MWCI) and Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (MWSI) to grant all residential customers a grace period of at least until the end of third quarter this year to settle their Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) and Modified ECQ (MECQ) water bills. During this period, the Concessionaires are to suspend water service disconnection activities, resolve billing inquiries and complaints, and provide customers ample time to update payments for accumulated water bills.

The directive was initiated on the basis of humanitarian and public health considerations; and with the intention of providing further economic relief to customers, in addition to the staggered and installment payment schemes currently in effect for ECQ and MECQ water bills. The agency maintains that ensuring the availability of water for all is of utmost importance, especially during this time when such resource is most essential for hand washing and hygiene, to curb the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, the MWSS Regulatory Office (RO) will continue to proactively operationalize measures to aid customers and protect consumer welfare especially in this time of adversity.

(sgd.)
PATRICK LESTER N. TY
Chief Regulator