THE Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) has ordered Maynilad to compensate consumers affected by the utility firm’s alleged poor service.

Maynilad was the subject of a probe by MWSS after consumers complained against the annoying interruptions in the company’s water supply.

The regulator found out that Maynilad has been causing a lot of inconvenience to millions of consumers and that it should be penalized for the wrongdoing.

Maynilad acknowledged its shortcomings and vowed to follow the regulator’s order to pay the consumers via rebates or discounts.

However, the amount of compensation which Maynilad promised to pay remains to be a big question.

The MWSS and Maynilad are silent about the computation of the penalty against the utility firm.

Usually, rebates or discounts given by utility firms to correct mistakes are released in very small installments that are reflected in the monthly bill statements.

They are too insignificant that poor consumers don’t even feel or realize that justice has already been served.

In contrast, consumers are made to settle penalties or unpaid bills in full right away by merciless utility firms like Meralco which is notorious for not taking staggered payments.

So, if I may suggest to the MWSS and Maynilad, compensation for the troubled water consumers should be in the form of ‘solutions’ to the problem caused by the utility firm.

For example, if the problem caused by Maynilad is water supply, it can compensate an affected community by building an overhead water tank for its residents.

The tank would serve as the alternative source of water each time Maynilad service is out.

Too costly?

No if one considers the various damages –clogged pipelines, discolored porcelains, dehydrated gardens, etc. — that may arise from the water supply interruptions suffered by the poor individual families.

It becomes more expensive when health issues surface and become very qualified cases for litigation.

Yes. Victims of Maynilad’s continuing disservice can come together and teach the erring utility firm a lesson.

As they say, there’s strength in numbers.

Meanwhile, a government agency is doing the exact opposite of Maynilad’s work.

Instead of bringing inconvenience, the Government Insurance Service System is extending ‘ginhawa’ to its members.

The state pension fund is now accepting loan payments from its members online through its partner banks under its Ginhawa for all (GFAL) thrust to make GSIS transactions more convenient and secure amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have been introducing additional secure, accessible, user-friendly payment channels to help our members meet their obligations and prevent their accounts from ballooning while dealing with the restrictions posed by the pandemic. It is also GSIS’s way of improving our loan collection efficiency. Soon, payments for other GSIS products, services, and fees may also be paid through these online payment facilities. Rest assured that we will be entering into partnership with other banks for this purpose to give the ginhawa that our members deserve,” GSIS President and General Manager Rolando Ledesma Macasaet explained.

To date, the online payment facilities of GSIS’s servicing banks Union Bank of the Philippines (Union Bank) and Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank) are now accepting payments for GSIS loans from members. They may pay their loans in advance or underpaid, delayed, and unpaid accounts especially those that are already in default or are unpaid for more than six months.

GSIS loans that may be paid through UnionBank’s online app, Landbank’s Link.BizPortal, and LANDBANK Mobile Banking App are: Member’s Cash Advance; Enhanced Salary Loan; Emergency Loan Assistance; Summer One Month Salary Loan; eCard Cash Advance; Enhanced Consoloan; Emergency Loan; Home Emergency Loan Program; Study Now, Pay Later Loan; Fly PAL, Pay Later Loan; Educational Assistance Loan; Stock Purchase Loan; Regular Policy Loan; Optional Policy Loan; GSIS Financial Assistance Loans (GFAL); Program for Restructuring and Repayment Debts; Multi-Purpose Loans; GFAL- Education Loan; and Computer Loan.

To pay, GSIS members with UnionBank accounts must download the UB (UnionBank) Online App through the Google Play Store or Apple Store and log in to their account by entering the one-time PIN (OTP) sent via their mobile number.

Once they have accessed their account, select “GSIS Service Loans” and the “Type of Loan”.

Input the borrower’s GSIS Business Partner (BP) Number, last name, mobile number, email address, and amount to be paid then click the “PAY” button.

An email and SMS confirmation will be sent to the email address and mobile number provided by the payor.

For LandBank accountholders, they must be enrolled in iAccess of the bank first before they can use their LBP account for paying through Landbank Link.