Consumer files complaint to Maynilad for P20-K water bill
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Consumer files complaint to Maynilad for P20-K water bill
A water faucet in use, Jan. 11, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News
A water faucet in use, Jan. 11, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News MANILA — An 84-year-old retired teacher was shocked after her water bill rose to over P19,000 from the usual P3,000.
MANILA — An 84-year-old retired teacher was shocked after her water bill rose to over P19,000 from the usual P3,000.
Maynilad consumer Magdalena Balen filed a complaint with the concessionaire after getting her May billing amounting to P19,279. Balen said this was more than sixfold from her usual monthly bill.
Maynilad consumer Magdalena Balen filed a complaint with the concessionaire after getting her May billing amounting to P19,279. Balen said this was more than sixfold from her usual monthly bill.
Maynilad inspected her property for leaks but found none. The water company also tested her water meter but found nothing wrong with it. Still, Maynilad got her a new meter and when the June billing came, her bill was now over P23,000.
Maynilad inspected her property for leaks but found none. The water company also tested her water meter but found nothing wrong with it. Still, Maynilad got her a new meter and when the June billing came, her bill was now over P23,000.
But Maynilad said the P23,000 June billing already includes the unpaid May billing minus the P3,000 paid by Magdalena to make sure her water connection is not cut.
But Maynilad said the P23,000 June billing already includes the unpaid May billing minus the P3,000 paid by Magdalena to make sure her water connection is not cut.
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Maynilad spokesperson Rona Librella said the over P19,000 May water bill is accurate since it was the actual reading of the meter. Librella said it is possible that there were leaks in the toilet tank, faucets and water tank that caused the bloating of the bill.
Maynilad spokesperson Rona Librella said the over P19,000 May water bill is accurate since it was the actual reading of the meter. Librella said it is possible that there were leaks in the toilet tank, faucets and water tank that caused the bloating of the bill.
According to Librella, Maynilad has offered the customer the option to pay the enormous bill in staggered terms to minimize the financial pressure.
According to Librella, Maynilad has offered the customer the option to pay the enormous bill in staggered terms to minimize the financial pressure.
Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) Regulatory Office has reminded aggrieved consumers that they can file a formal complaint with the regulator, if they are not satisfied with the resolution of their concern on billing.
Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) Regulatory Office has reminded aggrieved consumers that they can file a formal complaint with the regulator, if they are not satisfied with the resolution of their concern on billing.
MWSS Chief Regulator Patrick Ty said consumers must first lodge their complaint with the concessionaire. If the concessionaire is not responsive or they continue to feel unsatisfied, they can lodge a formal complaint with MWSS-RO to question the bill.
MWSS Chief Regulator Patrick Ty said consumers must first lodge their complaint with the concessionaire. If the concessionaire is not responsive or they continue to feel unsatisfied, they can lodge a formal complaint with MWSS-RO to question the bill.
While the MWSS-RO investigates, the concessionaire should not ask the consumer to pay the disputed bill. If the decision becomes final and it turns out that the consumer is at fault or the bloated bill is justified, the consumer can ask for terms to stagger payments.
While the MWSS-RO investigates, the concessionaire should not ask the consumer to pay the disputed bill. If the decision becomes final and it turns out that the consumer is at fault or the bloated bill is justified, the consumer can ask for terms to stagger payments.
According to Ty, concessionaires usually give consideration especially if the correct bill is way beyond the usual charge incurred by the consumer.
According to Ty, concessionaires usually give consideration especially if the correct bill is way beyond the usual charge incurred by the consumer.
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