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Duterte threatens to fire MWSS officials, end Manila Water and Maynilad deals


Photo from CNN Philippines

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 20) — An irate President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday warned Metro Manila's water regulator and water concessionaires Manila Water and Maynilad to end the water crisis or face termination, his spokesperson said.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo described Duterte's meeting with Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) executives as a "presidential monologue" that lasted for 40 minutes and ended abruptly. Present in the meeting in Malacañang were MWSS Chairman Franklin Demonteverde, Administrator Reynaldo Velasco, Chief Regulator Patrick Ty, and officials from Manila Water and Maynilad.
The MWSS executives received tongue lashing from the President, who threatened to fire them for allowing the water crisis in Metro Manila and Rizal to happen in the first place.
"The Chief Executive told them he was not going to listen to their explanation as to why there was a water shortage as such would be just plain excuses. They simply did not do their job. The President told them they could have simply anticipated such shortage and could have done something about it. They had to wait for him to threaten them with personally rushing to Manila from Davao to grapple with the crisis before they moved to end it. The Chief Executive bluntly told them to 'shape up or ship out!'" Panelo said in a statement on Wednesday.
Velasco, a presidential appointee, said no MWSS official has tendered their resignation. He added he is working hard so he doesn't get sacked.
"Ang sabi ni Presidente, 'Shape up or ship out.' Kaya inaayos ko para hindi ako tanggalin," he said.
Aside from the MWSS, Duterte also warned he will terminate the contracts of private water concessionaires Manila Water and Maynilad for profiteering from the public.
"'All they care about is get profit from the water of the people,'" Panelo said, quoting Duterte.
The MWSS officials were asked to submit a comprehensive report on the water crisis and the solutions to it. Velasco said they will include a 50-year master plan on water source in their report. 
"The message is very clear: Fix all of these things. Ayaw niya yung nahihirapan ang tao," Velasco told CNN Philippines on Wednesday.
After weeks of interruption, Manila Water said 93 percent of its customers are experiencing longer hours with water. It said although the situation is improving, the water problem will last until the end of May.
On March 7, customers of Manila Water were surprised by an unannounced water interruption. Since then, its customers comprising 1.2 million households have been experiencing no water supply or low water pressure. Velasco said the water shortage was caused by the delay in the concessionaire's Cardona Water Treatment Plant, adding the water crisis was aggravated by the depleting supply at the La Mesa reservoir due to the dry spell.
Source and Original Article from: >>> CNN Philippines

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