Maynilad: Separate connections can restore QC condo residential rate

MANILA, Philippines — Maynilad Water Services Inc. said the semi-business classification applied to the bulk water account of Smile Citihomes Condominium in Quezon City is not permanent, noting that business establishments within the property may apply for separate water service connections.

The water concessionaire told INQUIRER.net it had informed the previous condominium administration as early as March that securing separate water service connections would allow the residential portion of the development to be billed under the proper residential classification, subject to the submission of the required documents.

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The clarification came after residents of Smile Citihomes, a 23-building residential complex in Barangay Kaligayahan, protested the shift to a semi-business classification, which resulted in an outstanding balance of nearly P1.3 million.

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Maynilad said the amount represented the accumulated unpaid portion of the condominium’s account over the past three months because payments continued to be made using the residential rate instead of the semi-business rate.

Source: MWSS Regulatory Office

Under the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) Regulatory Office’s 2023 rules, the semi-business classification applies to master-metered properties that are at least 50 percent residential but are not purely residential. Smile Citihomes’ eight commercial establishments account for 0.57 percent of the condominium complex’s 1,397 occupied units.

As a condominium development, Smile Citihomes has a single water service connection with Maynilad. The utility supplies water through one main connection, while the condominium administration distributes water to individual units and collects payments from residents.

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To facilitate the reclassification process, Maynilad said that business establishments within the condominium may apply for separate water service connections. For corporations, Maynilad requires the submission of the Articles of Incorporation or a Securities and Exchange Commission certificate or permit, along with a secretary’s certificate identifying the company’s authorized signatory.

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Applicants must also submit a valid government-issued identification card bearing three specimen signatures and their Tax Identification Number, it added.

If the application is filed through a representative, Maynilad requires the identification cards of both the property owner and the representative, as well as a duly accomplished customer authorization form signed by the applicant or property owner.

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Maynilad said a new set of board of directors has since written to the utility, and its business area team is now coordinating with them to help fast-track the application process.

“Maynilad’s objective is to help regularize the account under the MWSS rules while addressing the concerns of the affected residents,” the company said.