Gilbert S.

Vasquez
2020 – 0002
NREL Sec. 65, Sat 1:00 – 4:00 pm

Reaction Paper on the Metropolitan Water Works and Sewerage System

During my childhood, I got used to the noise of jack hammers doing excavations along concrete
roads and would usually see a signage that it is a government project. Then, I would watch in amazement
as they use heavy equipment to lay down PVC and concrete pipes. I would later learn that NAWASA, the
precursor of MWSS, is laying down these pipes to provide potable water and at the same time provide
the community with sewage system. I think most would only attribute MWSS to providing potable water
and often take out that they are also responsible to ensure a working sewerage system. The class report
traced back the history of MWSS as far back as the 1900s from the Carriedo Water Systems to the National
Waterworks and Sewerage System or NAWASA and finally to the MWSS in 1971. I remember in the 1980s,
there were talks among my relatives as well as our neighbors that the services being provided by the
MWSS are so inefficient that it is just proper to private it and allow private concessionaires to assume its
role.
MWSS is the government’s main agency on water and sewerage services that ensures that
concessionaires, Manila Water and Maynilad, are compliant with the standards set by the law, particularly
on uninterrupted supply and distribution of potable water and maintenance of sewerage systems in its
service area. Initially, I am against the privatization of the distribution and supply of potable water. My
conservative stance is that, it should be the responsibility of the government to ensure a clean and potable
water and a working sewerage system. However, my view change when I realized that this burden and
responsibility may be shared with the private sector so that the government will be able to focus on what
it should do best, to govern. The government is not totally relinquishing this responsibility to the private
sector because under R.A. 6234, which created the MWSS, the government is still in supervision and
control of the establishment, operation, and maintenance of water work systems.
After the class report, I realized that there is so much information that should be read before I
can say that I have ample knowledge of the subject. I belatedly learn that the Kaliwa Dam Project had
long been planned by the government way back in the 1970s. The report posed a serious concern of
potential violation of the rights of the affected Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples
(ICCs/IPs) in the community within the projected area of the dam. I think, with the increasing demand for
clean potable water supply, the construction of the Kaliwa Dam will ease this concern. However, I am a
bit pessimistic if the government will be able to faithfully honor its responsibility to the local community,
such as relocation and compensation, if necessary. I hope the government will make a follow through on
its commitment to the affected community of the dam or any government projects on water supply.