Puerto Princesa Water District (PPCWD) waived the penalties for non-payment of water bills after due dates from March to April, the time where Puerto Princesa is still under enhanced community quarantine due to coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19.
This aims to minimize the number of clients who will rush to their office and to ease the financial burden of their consumers.
Jenn Rausa, PPCWD Spokesperson told Palawan Daily that this is part of their corporate social responsibility.
“Hindi po tayo nag impose ng penalty and at the same time, hindi rin po tayo mag-iimplement ng disconnection of service lines kung hindi man po makapagbayad agad an gating consumers. Alam po natin ‘yung naging sitwasyon ng mga cinsumers natin na talagang nahirapan kaya for consideration po at hindi rin po tayo nag-bill ng minimum at kung ano lang ang consumption, ‘yun lang po ang bill nila,” Rausa told PDN in an interview.
The penalties were reflected on billing statements but Rausa advised their consumers to disregard the surcahrges and just pay the current bill.
“Disregard n’yo nalang po at wag nalang pansinin. Kung magkano lang po ang babayaran na naka-indicate doon sa bill, ‘yun lang po ang babayaran ninyo. Nailagay lang po sa bill [penalty] dahil automated po ‘yan sa system natin kaya pag print, may penalty talaga,” she added.
Meanwhile, water consumers may start paying bills at their office or on selected money remittance partners of PPCWD.
“Pwede sa pawnshop na partner natin at pwede rin sa tatlong bayad centers natin at pina-practice naman natin ang social distancing. Pwede nilang bayaran ang bills nila for March and April in partial at hindi natin papatawan ng penalty. Hanggang June 30, pwede po nilang bayaran in total at wala pong penalties ‘yun,” explained Rausa.