• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The Sangguniang Panlungsod urged the Baciwa-Primewater April 17 to either reduce proportionately the P220 minimum water rate charge for consumers affected by frequent water shortages, or to stop charging those with no water supply for at least a month.
The SP approved the resolution of councilors Vladimir Gonzalez and Renecito Novero, who said that despite the frequent water interruptions, poor quality, or lack of water supply, the consumers are still being charged with unconscionable water rates, specifically the minimum P220.
“This continuing burden on the consumers without the necessary water services, constitutes clear violations of the contractual obligation, and unjust enrichment on the part of Baciwa-Primewater,” the resolution stressed.
There is deprivation of due process on the part of water consumers, in that they are being deprived of their meager income to pay for the water bills, in lieu of threatened disconnection, in case of non-payment, the SP added.
The resolution is an urgent iteration of a similar resolution authored by Councilor Claudio Jesus Puentevella and passed by the SP on March 14, which asked the Baciwa-Primewater to study the possible suspension of the imposition of minimum charge on consumers who have zero water consumption.
Puentevella, chairperson of the SP Committee on Energy and Public Utilities, said in this afternoon’s regular SP session that, to date, the Baciwa-Primewater has yet to respond to his request. | CGC
