RESIDENTS in several barangays in Muntinlupa City experienced intermittent water supply cut-off over the past few days, giving rise to mounting public frustration and complaints.
Mayor Ruffy Biazon addressed the issue in a live Facebook broadcast together with public information office chief Mimi Gonzales and some officials of franchise holder the Maynilad Water Services.
“To be honest, I am not satisfied with the answers. What our countrymen are asking for is clear and reliable scheduling during water interruptions—people know when the water will be out and when it will be back, so that each family can prepare,” Biazon said in Filipino.
He requested full documentation of Maynilad’s emergency response during the recent interruptions, including the number of water tankers deployed and a clear deployment plan for future incidents, emphasizing the need for concrete, reliable measures.
“We also asked for a complete report on how many water tankers they sent during the previous interruption so that we can validate their deployment. This includes a clear deployment plan for future incidents. As I said, what we need is a concrete solution, a proper process, and reliable steps,” he added.
The Maynilad executives explained the cause of the interruptions as “constraints in water supply.”
Greg Antonio, head of Maynilad’s water production for the South sector, said the company operates three water treatment plants in Muntinlupa; two in Barangay Putatan and one in Barangay Poblacion which draw raw water from Laguna Lake.
Antonio attributed the recent deterioration in raw water quality to the seasonal “amihan” (northeast monsoon), which increases silt and other contaminants in the lake.
He also said the current water quality at the lake required Maynilad to protect treatment facilities from inflows that exceed their design parameters, necessitating temporary reductions in water production to ensure treated water meets the Philippine National Standards requirements. He stressed that Maynilad will not compromise water quality.
Biazon questioned whether the water quality issues in Laguna Lake were resolvable. Antonio responded that Maynilad is continuously upgrading its treatment plants and exploring new technologies to better manage raw water quality.
Antonio noted that only six to 10 percent of the entire year where water treatment plants face challenges.
“While it does not normalize, the water we can produce is not enough for the needs of customers who will use it at the same time and the interruptions will be repeated. But Maynilad will not let a situation to happen wherein in 24 hours, you will not be provided (water),” Antonio explained
