Maynilad blames ‘amihan’

Steam is apparently rising between Muntinlupa City and utility firm Maynilad Water Services over the quality of its service.

Residents of Alabang, Bayanan, Poblacion, Putatan and Tunasan reported limited or no water supply after Valentine’s Day.

Strangely, the company blamed the strong “amihan” (northeast monsoon) winds over Laguna Lake, saying it caused the “variable raw water quality” and reduced the treated water output. This explanation sounded more like an excuse than a cause.

City Mayor Ruffy Biazon said he was unsatisfied with the responses provided by Maynilad representatives regarding the recent daily water service interruptions affecting parts of Muntinlupa.

He appeared in a live Facebook broadcast, together with City Public Information Office head Mimi Gonzales and Maynilad officials Greg Antonio, head of Maynilad Water Production South; Alfred Jhon Gallego, head of the Muntinlupa-Las Piñas Business Area; Alvin Cruz, head of Outage Management; and Marie Antonette de Ocampo, head of Corporate Affairs and Communication.

“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.

He also requested the 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,” Biazon said.

A Maynilad official explained that 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.

He attributed the recent deterioration in raw water quality to the seasonal “amihan” which increases silt and other contaminants in the lake.

Biazon questioned whether the Laguna Lake water quality issues could be resolved. Maynilad responded that it was continuously upgrading its treatment plants and exploring new technologies to improve the management of raw water quality.

The hard truth is that disruptions to a vital service like water supply cannot be brushed aside with the tired excuse of unfavorable weather patterns.