Water for the People Network

We already know that power rates in the Philippines are the most expensive in Asia. What we do not know yet which will certainly make our collective blood pressure rise is that water rates in the country are also among the highest in the region. Using the same 2011 survey conducted by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) on power rates in major Asian cities, I found out that the water rates in Cebu City and Manila rank fourth and fifth, respectively behind Sydney, Singapore and Jakarta. Yes, we are paying more expensive water than more developed cities like Hong Kong, New Delhi, Beijing, Seoul and others. (See Chart 1, click on image to enlarge) (Download the JETRO survey here)

I bring this up after hearing the news that the private water concessionaires of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) have been allowed again to jack up their rates next year. A report by the BusinessWorld said that by January 2013, the ordinary customers of Maynilad Water Services Inc. or those with a monthly consumption of 30 cubic meters will see their bill increase by ₱22.52. Meanwhile, the customers of Manila Water Co. Inc. with the same level of monthly consumption will bear a ₱6-spike in their water bill. What a way to greet the New Year for some 13.3 million people in Metro Manila and nearby provinces who get their water from Maynilad and Manila Water.

Water district unions from Luzon, Vizayas and Mindanao and consumers, as well as representatives from peasants, workers, indigenous people, fisherfolk, women and environment advocates came together last November to hold a national anti-water privatization assembly.

Attended by over 120 delegates, the "Water is Life" national conference was aimed at opposing ongoing efforts to further privatize the water sector, such as pending bills at the Senate and Congress such as the Senate Bill (SB) 2997. Also known as the Water Sector Reform Act of 2012, the bill outlines the privatization of water through public-private partnerships (PPPs), which consumers and water district employees say will create monopolies in the merging of water districts, and lay-off thousands of water utilities employees.

Spearheaded by the Water Systems Employees Response (WATER), Water is Life, Solidarity Opposed to Privatization Alliance (STOP) and the Water for the People Network (WPN), the conference was held at the UP College of Social Work and Community Development.

Public hearing on oil exploration in Hmar Hills meets cold reception

The Refinery News, 22 November 2012

http://refinerynews.com/public-hearing-on-oil-exploration-in-hmar-hills-meets-cold-reception/

Special Report by Lalramsan Hmar

After an incident at Nungba where a Public Hearing was boycotted by the villagers, the state government has taken measures so as to check any repeated incident by deploying huge numbers of army personnel, police and IRB.

One of the journalists who attended the hearing said that the way uniform personnel roamed around and asked the identity of people is like we are in the midst of military show down. Answering why there was so much security, T.T Zuola, OC of Tipaimukh Sub-Division said that they were informed that some group have planned to dismantle the bridges and tried to create disturbance they were told to be presented with his men.

Henii Paul, an IRB officer at Jiribam had said that he came to the place with 20 IRB, 15-20 Assam Rifles, 21 police and DC’s security 12-15 in numbers were present at the village today. Before the hearing, a group of journalists and activists met chairman of the Joint Action Committee, Lalawilien Hmar who is also the president of Hmar Inpui (Hmar Supreme House). During the interaction, the chairman said: “The aim of Jubilant Oil Gas Pvt. Ltd trying to explore our land that too without informing the inhabitants is unwelcome and we will fight for our rights to safeguard our land and forest from deforestation.’