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MANILA, Philippines – The Supreme Court has yet to decide on the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) sought by various water consumer groups to stop the impending water price hike by Manila Water Company Inc., (MWCI) and Maynilad Water System (MWSI).
Spokesperson Theodore Te said the High Court met en banc on Tuesday, July 2, but did not yet act on the petition for TRO of the WaterWatch Coalition Inc. and Alyansa ng Mamamayang Naghihirap (Almana) Inc.
Te said the High Court ordered the respondents, Metropolitan Waterworks Sewerage System (MWSS), MWCI and MWSI to comment within 10 days from receipt of the petition, which challenges the constitutionality of the concession agreements dated February 1997 between the respondents, as well as the legality of the 2013 tariff schedule.
Beginning July 3, Maynilad, the west zone concessionaire, said it would raise its average all-in tariff by P0.17 to P46.73 per cubic meter from P46.56 per cubic meter. Manila Water also intends to raise its rates this month.
On June 25, various water consumer groups filed a petition for certiorari and prohibition requiring the respondents to “maintain and observe the status quo prevailing before the commencement of the 2013 Rate Rebasing Exercises.”
Read: Consumer groups ask SC to stop water hike
Rodolfo Javellana Jr., president of Water For All Refund Movement, said Manila Water and Maynilad should “refund” instead of “increase” the price of water, which has been “a burden to water consumers, especially the ones around Metro Manila.” – Rappler.com
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