(Eagle News)–The Ayala brothers of the Ayala Group of Companies on Wednesday, March 27, said they took responsibility for their “own shortcomings in the company” Manila Water that have contributed, among “a multitude of factors,” to the water shortage.
In a Facebook post, Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, chair of the Ayala group and vice chair of Manila Water; and Fernando Zobel de Ayala, chair of the water concessionaire, said they “recognize and understand the difficulties that all our customers are going through,” and gave the assurance that the company was “exploring all possible options to bring back services to the high levels that we are all accustomed to.”
The Ayalas reiterated a previous announcement from Manila Water officials on a “voluntary waiver” of the minimum charge in March for all its East Zone customers and a full-bill waiver for March for those living in severely affected barangays.
The Ayalas said these would be reflected in the April bill.
“We continue to appeal for everyone’s patience as our teams at Manila Water are working hard and overtime to immediately and comprehensively remedy the situation,” they said.
They also urged the public to conserve water, noting that “resolving this situation requires support from all sectors.”
“Again, we recognize our shortcomings in the situation. We will double our efforts to restore services to the high levels that we have had and to ensure that future shortages such as these will not be repeated,” they said.
Manila Water officials have previously attributed the water shortage to the declining water levels in La Mesa Dam and to an increased demand.
President Rodrigo Duterte has threatened to fire Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System officials and to end contracts of concessionaires following the water shortage that has gripped parts of Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
He gave those concerned until April 7 to submit a report on the measures undertaken to resolve the shortage, after which he said he would decide whether to push through with his threats.
