Maynilad has announced that there will be rotational water interruptions from 4 to 8 hours due to the low water level in Angat and Ipo dam.

From 101 meters — which is the maintaining level of Ipo Dam— it dropped to 100.20 meters as of Wednesday (February 5) at 6:00 a.m.

Maynilad Spokesperson Grace Laxamana said it would take time for the water supply to be delivered to customers’ houses due to the low water level in the said dams.

“So kapag mabagal iyong treatment process siyempre mas mabagal rin ang pagpuno ng mga reservoirs natin bago natin mai-deliver sa mga customer natin, (So if the treatment process is slow, it will take time to fill the reservoirs before it can be delivered to our customers),” she said.

Around 80 percent of Maynilad’s customers will experience the rotational water interruption.

Maynilad advises its customers to take note of the rotational service interruption in their area and make sure to conserve water.

“Sinisiguro natin na magkakaroon naman sila araw-araw ng tubig kaya po huwag silang mag-hoard at ipunin lamang iyong kinakailangan nila for the whole day (We are ensuring [customers] will have enough water supply everyday so they should not hoard and just reserve enough water for the whole day),” Laxamana said.—AAC (with reports from Joan Nano)

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar has denied allegations that his family has interest in taking over the water distribution sector in Metro Manila.

When asked during a press briefing at Malacañang, Villar responded, “No.”

“I’m not in any position to answers questions regarding those I have no involvement,” he added.

Villar’s family owns the PrimeWater Infrastructure Corporation, which provides water supply in several provinces.

President Rodrigo Duterte has warned Maynilad and Manila Water that he would revoke the present water contracts if they refuse to agree with the new terms presented by the government.

MANILA, Philippines — Chief Presidential Legal Counsel and Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo will recommend to President Rodrigo Duterte to also review the contract of the University of the Philippines-Diliman with the Ayala Land Incorporated for the conversion of a UP lot into UP-Ayala Land Technohub.

Panelo said that a study has come to his attention showing the very low lease amount that the Ayala group is paying to UP.

A number of business outsourcing firms, retail areas, campus apartments, and business hotels has occupied the Technohub that is now a popular hangout place in Quezon City.

The Palace official said he will recommend to the president a closer review of the lease contract to check the veracity of the report that the Ayala Land group is only paying UP just a little higher than Php20.00 per square meter for 25 years.

“Only 10.4 billion will be taken by the government at the end of 25 years […] mukhang kawawa na naman ang gobyerno dito,” said Panelo.

He added that should the claim in the report be true, it will cause so much loss for the government.

“Definitely lugi ang gobyerno dito,” he said.

The Ayala group, on the other hand, has denied the allegation of the very low rental fee.

It, however, welcomes whatever review that will be conducted on its lease contract with UP.

Aside from the Technohub, the President has also slammed Manila Water, the water concessionaire company under the Ayala Corporation due to its alleged onerous contract with the government. — (from the report of Rosalie Coz) /mbmf