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| How appropriate. We spent World Water Day at Maynilad, settling our water bill issues. |
Yesterday, I wept in exasperation. Today, I feel mature. Between then and now, I did what I do best: I researched and reflected. In figuring out how to proceed with a huge bill slapped on me by Maynilad, I decided to conduct due dilligence. I read up on Maynilad's history and current situation, on the water crisis and the relevant legislation involved; I looked up the different NGOs and interest groups fighting for consumers' rights. I interviewed people, and found out that tampering is a common practice in our area, and "professional tamperers" peddle their services to everyone. I analyzed the situation and had reason to believe that Maynilad may have a point when they claim that water was stolen from them by the previous occupants of our house. What do I do now? Knowing what I know? I prayed and discerned the dictates of my conscience.
I decided what kind of person I wanted to be, and what example I want to give my children. Today, I brought Narra with me on my errands, and made an adventure out of the task of settling our water dsipute. Having her around as audience to my deeds helped me clarify my objectives. My goal was to do what was right, to be a model citizen, and to behave with dignity and grace in dealing with others. We cannot control the situations we find ourselves in, but we can control our response to our situation. So I chose to approach my day with a positive attitude, and let my daughter put a smile on my face as often as possible. Isn't that supposed to be one of the benefits of being a parent? That we have our kids to bring sunshine into our lives when grey clouds hover over us?
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| Self-taken: Narra and I goofing off at the Maynilad office. Waiting while spending quality time with my daughter. |
Today, I decided NOT to be a victim. I also decided NOT to be that person who says: THIS IS NOT MY FAULT, therefore THIS IS NOT MY RESPONSIBILITY. I realize that Maynilad has such a big problem in their hands. A lot of the water services they provide is non-revenue, that is, pilfered or wasted through tampered meters, illegal lines, and underground leaks. They decided to do something about it by changing to new meters, and collecting old meters, testing each of them for tampering. This process is tedious, and takes a long time. It just so happens that by the time our old meter was tested, and findings of tampering from 2006-2009 were released in 2010, we had moved into the house. We became liable for the illegal acts of the previous occupants. While I initially found this to be unfair, I can understand why Maynilad can't simply strike out our under-collected bills just because I said "I didn't do it! I didn't live there when it happened". Water was stolen, someone has to pay. A chorus of voices demand that I do not pay! That "it's a matter of principle", that I "should not let them get away with it". Drowning those voices out, I have to act the way I see fit.
Republic Act 8041, or the Water Crisis Bill of 1995, was created to address a real crisis (as the title suggests). Section 8 on Anti-Pilfering describes the various circumstances in which theft and pilferage can be established. When a meter has been tampered with, for instance - the actual meter itself is already admissible as evidence for pilferage, and having a tampered meter in your possession has its corresponding penalties. There is logic behind empowering water service providers like Maynilad with more teeth to run after subscribers with tampered meters. If the subscriber is guilty of tampering - the penalty is only too well deserved. Now, if the subscriber found with a tampered meter is like me, innocent (who happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time), the penalty may not be as deserved, but MUST be applied equally nonetheless. It's a simple and just formula: let the ones in possession of a water line be wholly responsible for it.
I believe in the logic behind this kind of thinking. I believe, when it comes to the environment for instance, that those who find themselves dealing with the problems of pollution, garbage disposal, and deforestation, can't say "we didn't do this to nature, this isn't our problem" - nope - we can't say the damage was caused by the previous generation, and we can't pass the mess for the next generation to clean-up. Whoever is here right now, is responsible. Fair enough, I think.
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| Narra, playing while our final bill was being computed. |
I just feel sad for this country, and how it has bred too many thieves, that water is stolen at such a grand scale. I am mad at the previous occupants of our house for stealing! Tess, the friendly Maynilad officer who handled my complaint told me that many people pay huge penalties without a fuss. Why? I asked. "Because they're guilty, the knew they did it so they don't put up a fight", she said. "Not like you", she continued. "You looked really shocked". Wow. That surprised me. I didn't realize I was transacting at the desk for criminal offenses, that our account actually had pending cases, serious offenses punishable by law, including imprisonment of 6 months to 2 years.
Thank heavens the people at Maynilad did not treat me like a criminal. They only treated me with courtesy, patience, respect and understanding - especially when I was in a state of shock and started spitting out arguments in a hissy fit (though still with my dignity intact). I requested for a reprieve, and guess what? They gave it. From 56,000 - I was able to contest a number of items, which were stricken off the bill - some 13,000 worth. So we were down to 43,000. I was negotiating a 50% discount - I told Maynilad we should share the responsibility. They failed to inform us in a timely manner, which resulted in injustice - had they been prompt in their investigations, the REAL perpetrators would have had to pay... but because of their 2-year delay, I ended up being charged. So I asked that we split the bill. They had a counter-offer: 30% off the bill, and 12 months installment for the balance, interest free. I took it. Graciously.
Then they told me, "okay, here's your payment slip, please go to the nearest bank to pay". Huh? Why can't I pay at the Maynilad office? Wierd isn't it? And downright inconvenient too. I felt sad again, for this country, that the practices of theft, and doctoring of documents as a result of "lagay" or bribery is so prevalent that a service center isn't allowed to accept cash. It's very, very sad that the Maynilad Area Service Centers are NOT payment centers. I asked if I could pay by credit card, which would be one big convenience. Nope. They don't have a credit card swipe terminal. Sad, again.
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| Narra, pretending to fill up a cash deposit slip at the bank, as we paid our bill. |
So Narra and I had to pay at a bank, and had to return to show proof of our payment of the 30% down payment. It hurt to withdraw money, and to part with it for a crime we did not commit. But I know Maynilad is on the verge of financial ruin because of rampant stealing. So I do my little part in addressing a big, big problem. It somewhat feels unjust. But you know what? It's World Water Day, a day when we should think about the value and importance of water. Believe you me, I thought about water A LOT this last 24 hours. I feared losing it. I also understood that water is a basic right for EVERYONE, and not just those who could pay, so I can't even feel very angry at the poor people who tap lines illegally to provide for their family's needs. In my impossibly perfect world in a parallel universe, water is free for all and used responsibly by good citizens. But alas, I live in this world, where water is a finite resource, where distribution is privatized, and the use of water is measured in cubic meters with corresponding costs, and where freeloaders enjoy the benefits without giving due payments to those who invested in the costs.
So I'm a little poorer today. But what I lost in money, I gained in peace of mind. I can sleep knowing I solved a situation for my family, and really resolved it this time, and not just delayed it or passed it on to someone else down the line to make it their headache. Nope. Yesterday, I was drowning in worry over this matter, today it's water under the bridge.
The personal IS political, and my personal water woes made me miss talking about Intro to PolSci topics I used to discuss in class, and thinking about the law, rights, interests, justice, and good citizenship. I will be thinking a lot more about water and the challenges of urban water management in the months to come, I am sure.
Happy World Water Day Everyone!
Related Post: On Disputing Maynilad's Water Bills
Link to R.A. 8041: Water Crisis Bill of 1995
World Water Day Website:
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