Waterworks Governing Body

[nicolodeon]

Hey fellas. Perhaps you can help me out. Is there a national body that governs waterworks in barangays and towns nationwide? I'm trying to look for it because we intend to file a formal complaint against the waterworks organization in our barangay.

Most of the households in our barangay have had practically no water for months and even if there is water, it's so dirty that it's not even fit for an askal (asong kalye) to bathe in. Yet, most of the households in the barangay get charged a minimum fee of P 500.00 or so for water and services used. What water? What services?

We think that it's highway robbery for them to force a lot of households to pay for a service that was not delivered. They also have the gall to give notices of disconnection for households who do not pay. To further earn the ire of people, there is an existing order from their management not to accept letters of complaint from their customers. They even had the nerve to hike their rates.

Any information that you can share with me would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[Altis6453]

nico,

As far as I know, you can complain to the National Water Resources Board (NWRB). Plus, if it's true that they're charging you for services which is not delivered, you can go to the regular courts and file a complaint with preliminary or permanent injunction against your waterworks company. Sa developer ba yan?

[nicolodeon]

Hi Altis. Thanks for the info. Much appreciated. Nope, hindi sa developer - it's a waterworks cooperative. thing is, ayaw nilang papasukin angg LWUA dun sa lugar namin. Ang isa pang nakakairita eh kapag may nagfa-file ng complaint sa office nila na client, ang atititude nila lagi eh "talk to the hand, jerk!". According to some of my kaba-baryo, the management of the organization instructed its employees not to accept complaints of any kind or form.

[mbt]

hmm... time to organize the mob and lynch the cooperative officials hehe :D

[Altis6453]

Nico, if you can get your neighbors who are similarly affected to join you, you can file a class suit in the regular courts against this reprehensible coop. I'm not sure kasi to what extent merong jurisdiction ang NWRB sa kanila apart from revoking their water concession permit. Plus, NWRB may have limited police power on its own, so it may be better to go to court. Sue the bastards. Good luck!

[Luap]

try referring your problem to ABS CBN's Isang Tawag Ka Lang, or GMA's Imbestigador.

[nicolodeon]

*altis: thanks for the info. much appreciated. we are starting to explore our legal options.
*mbt: balak na ngang padalahan ng itim na ribbon nung ibang kliyente nila eh.
*luap: AFAIK, may kumukontak na kay Mr. Imbestigador, kay Tufo at kay Tita Swarding (teka, bakit nasama sya dito... )

[konde]

dagdag ko lang sa mga naunang suggestions:

kung cooperative sya, try nyo complain sa Cooperative Development Authority.

reklamo nyo din sa city hall para ma revoke mayor's permit nila.

[nicolodeon]

konde: thanks for the info. sige, ipapakonotak ko yung cooperative development authority.

[ice15]

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