Marikina City Mayor Marjorie Ann “Maan” Teodoro has ordered the appropriation of P15 million to partially settle Barangay Tumana’s outstanding debt and allow the resumption of water services before Christmas.
Teodoro called on the City Council to immediately pass a proposed ordinance allocating funds to address the water crisis in Tumana after Manila Water disconnected the barangay’s supply.
In a letter to council members, the mayor stressed the urgent need to approve an ordinance appropriating P15,000,000 to cover part of Tumana’s unpaid obligations to Manila Water.
According to Teodoro, the proposed measure is a decisive intervention that would enable the immediate restoration of water services while ensuring accountability in the use of public funds.
“This intervention is both compassionate and prudent, providing immediate relief while ensuring accountability in the use of public funds,” Teodoro said.
“More importantly, it reaffirms the City Government’s commitment to protect public health, uphold human dignity, and serve the people of Marikina,” she added.
The mayor appealed to council members to prioritize the welfare of Tumana residents and take swift action to restore water services and ease the hardship faced by affected families.
Teodoro also underscored the city government’s legal and moral obligation to act, citing Section 16 of the Local Government Code, which mandates local governments to protect the welfare of their constituents.
Reports reaching the mayor’s office showed that Barangay Tumana officials allegedly failed to remit residents’ water payments totaling P37,192,199.98, prompting Manila Water to cut off the supply on 18 December 2025.
Teodoro vowed to hold accountable all officials responsible for failing to settle the more than P37 million debt that led to the disconnection of Tumana’s water service.
Residents of Barangay Tumana appealed to the city government for urgent intervention as they face a dry Christmas following the water cutoff due to the failure of both current and former barangay officials to remit payments.
Under a memorandum of agreement dubbed “Patubig sa Tumana,” residents receive water services through Manila Water but pay their bills to the barangay, which is responsible for remitting the payments to the utility provider.
However, Barangay Captain Akiko Centeno allegedly failed to remit residents’ payments, allowing the balance to balloon to P37,192,199.98 as of 2 December 2025.
Despite repeated demands, barangay officials reportedly failed to settle the obligation, forcing Manila Water to disconnect all 13 communal watering points under the agreement.
Manila Water has given Barangay Tumana 15 days from receipt of the notice to settle the outstanding amount.
As of writing, no payment agreement or promissory note has been submitted to Manila Water.