Water Privatization

WPN presses MWSS: Show us the numbers

June 29, 2018

The Water for the People Network (WPN) is dismayed that the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System – Regulatory Office (MWSS-RO) would not readily reveal the numbers involving water companies’ petitions for tariff increases in public consultations that the MWSS-RO itself convened this week. The group said that by doing so, the government agency effectively hindered […]

MWSS urged: Conduct proper consultation, uphold transparency

June 29, 2018

Dissatisfied with the nature of the fourth rate rebasing public consultation held Wednesday, consumer network Samahan at Ugnayan ng mga Konsyumer para sa Ikauunlad ng Bayan (SUKI) urged the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System Regulatory Office (MWSS-RO) to conduct a genuine consultation and exercise in transparency in presenting the data used to justify the proposed […]

Stop rate rebasing until onerous fees resolved – WPN

June 25, 2018

Advocacy group Water for the People Network (WPN) is appealing to the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System – Regulatory Office (MWSS-RO) to halt the ongoing rate rebasing process that is expected to raise water rates in Metro Manila and its environs, saying the basis for determining future water rates remains unresolved. Concessionaires Maynilad and Manila […]

On Consumer Welfare Month: 20 years of MWSS privatization, 20 years of violating the people’s right to water

October 3, 2017

​By Water for the People Network- The 20th anniversary of the privatization of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) in August was considered a milestone by privatization proponents. The MWSS has often been used to showcase the supposed benefits of turning over water supply services to private corporations. But the start of government-declared Consumer Welfare Month […]

Gov’t should spare consumers from water firms’ Php82-B back charges

October 3, 2017

As the Philippine government launches Consumer Welfare Month, the Water for the People Network (WPN) warned against impending unreasonable water rates should government yield to the monetary demands of Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water Company. The network said that the Supreme Court decision that public utilities cannot pass on their corporate income taxes […]

Arbitration ruling favors corporate greed over people’s rights—WPN

August 14, 2017

Advocacy group Water for the People Network (WPN) said that the decision by the International Arbitration Court (IAC) requiring the Philippine government to pay Php3.4 billion to Maynilad Water Services, Inc. reflects the corporate bias of international mechanisms for resolving disputes between governments and private corporations. The Philippine government should learn from the public’s negative experience under […]

Megadams: unuseful, destructive–WPN

March 23, 2017

Ten thousand families in nine barangays inhabited by the Dumagat and Remontado indigenous peoples stand to be affected by the impending revival of the New Centennial Water Source Project (NCWS) in Rizal and Quezon In forums and activities held around international commemoration of people’s action for rivers and against large dams and in pursuit of […]

Impending water rate hikes baseless, terminate CA – WPN

March 22, 2017

Advocacy group Water for the People Network (WPN) said that looming water rate hikes are unwarranted since consumers have long been over-charged to ensure profits for the two water concessionaires. On World Water Day, the group said that the Duterte administration should rescind the onerous concession agreements (CA) with the Pangilinan-Salim group’s Maynilad Water Services, […]

People-centered development vital for consumer rights

March 16, 2017

Prior to #WorldConsumerRightsDay, Filipino consumers including those for a #BetterDigitalWorld converged in a forum, expressed their woes and aspirations and vowed to continue working for #SocialEconomicChange Various consumer groups gathered in a conference last Monday in Quezon City to tackle the social and economic reforms needed to promote consumer welfare. The event participants recognized the […]