Compliance with MWSS Rules and Regulations by Unregistered/Unauthorized Water/Sewer Connections, etc.

November 7, 1982

LETTER OF INSTRUCTIONS NO. 1276

AUTHORIZING OWNERS AND USERS OF UNREGISTERED/UNAUTHORIZED WATER/SEWER CONNECTIONS/ DEVICES/INSTRUMENTS TO COMPLY WITH MWSS RULES AND REGULATIONS WITHOUT PENALTY

WHEREAS, it has come to the attention of this Office that there are numerous unregistered/unauthorized water/sewer service connections/devices/instruments which adversely affect water supply due to unrestrained and indiscriminate use by the owners/users thereof, thereby resulting not only in the loss of revenue to MWSS but also in depriving others of a fair share of water supply;

WHEREAS, in order to account for and collect all the revenues due MWSS and to discourage the profligate use of water and enhance its equitable distribution for the good of the greatest number, it is imperative to encourage the registration of all unregistered/unauthorized water connection and/or removal of unregistered/unauthorized devices/instrument;

WHEREAS, it is the desire of this Office to afford another opportunity for users/owners of unregistered/unauthorized water/sewer service connections/devices/instruments to voluntarily come out and register their unauthorized connections/devices/instruments within the ambit of MWSS rules and regulations;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Republic of the Philippines, do hereby instruct and order that;

1. You publish or announce in at least four (4) newspapers of general circulation in Metro Manila, radio and/or television for a period of thirty (30) consecutive days from the issuance hereof, this Letter of Instructions authorizing owners/users of unregistered/unauthorized installations of water and/or sewage service connections or of devices which draw water without passing through MWSS-registered water meters or of instruments which interfere with the normal and/or accurate functioning of MWSS-installed water meters and/or discharge sewage or waste water into MWSS sewer mains without having applied and paid for the service, to comply with the following requirements within a period of two (2) months from the first date of the announcement and/or publication;

(a) The aforesaid owners/users shall voluntarily disclose or report to MWSS the use/existence of such unauthorized/unregistered connections or devices mentioned herein.

(b) The aforesaid owners/users shall apply with the MWSS for the registration of the unauthorized/unregistered connections or devices/instruments and pay the corresponding fees;

(c) The aforesaid owners/users shall pay the estimated volume of water drawn though said unauthorized/unregistered connections connections/devices/instruments, which estimate shall in no case exceed an amount corresponding to a period of more than six (6) month's consumption;

(d) The aforesaid owners/users shall comply with the MWSS rules and regulations.

In return, the MWSS shall guarantee in favor of the owners/users availing of this LOI pending investigation of the complaints of the MWSS of the unauthorized/unregistered water/sewer service connections the following:

(a) continued use and enjoyment of the aforesaid facilities;

(b) condonation of overdue bills in excess of the estimated six (6) months' consumption; acd

(c) confidentiality of information obtained by virtue of the availment of this LOI; and

(d) immunity from further investigation of any acts, conduct committed by owners/users or violations of MWSS rules and regulations.

2. After the aforementioned two-month period allowing compliance with the above-stated requirements, you undertake a house-to-house verification of all water and sewer services, excavating MWSS water mains, to discover and ferret out unauthorized/unregistered water or sewer services, or devices/instruments which were not voluntarily disclosed or reported, and thereafter registered during the aforesaid two-month period. You may also opt to give rewards to those who report illegal connection/devices under the MWSS reward system.

3. Upon discovery of any illegal water and/or sewer service connection or device, after the aforesaid two-month period, such illegal connections/devices shall immediately be disconnected or removed and shall not be reopened/reconnected without paying first the amount due the MWSS. The existence thereof in the premises of the owners/users shall be prima facie evidence that the same was installed by, or caused to be installed by said owners/users. You shall then charged the owners/users for violation of P.D. No. 401 and/or for theft of water.

4. Compliance by the unregistered/unauthorized owners or users with the provisions of this LOI or the rules and regulations of MWSS to be issued in connection herewith, whether said owners and/or users be natural or juridical persons, shall not be taken against them or used as evidence before any court, board or tribunal in any criminal, civil or administrative proceedings. The use or disclosure by any government official or employee of any information or document, obtained by virtue of or in connection with the unregistered/unauthorized owners'/users' compliance with the provisions of this LOI or rules and regulations to be issued by the MWSS, for any purpose prejudicial to them, shall be a ground for the institution of disciplinary action and the imposition of appropriate sanctions.

5. You immediately issue and promulgate the rules and regulations implementing this LOI.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 7th day of November, in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Two. acd