Public interest after public utility privatization: Does it bargain away?: The case of MWSS and its concessionaires Manila Water Company Inc. & Maynilad Water Systems

• Main Authors: Arcadio, Robert Daniel, Manauis, Joshua Ricardo
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2014
• Subjects: Water utilities > Rates > Law and legislation > Philippines; Water utilities > Complaints against > Philippines; Water utilities > Philippines
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/5608
• Institution: De La Salle University

As businesses providers of goods or services that are necessary for the general public, the regulation of public utilities is of utmost importance, as evidenced by the wealth of statutory materials that provide for such regulative measures. This being said, the research looks at the pending Supreme Court case against water concessionaires Maynilad Water Services Inc., and Manila Water Co., Inc., and answers whether or not the water concessionaires are, in fact, acting against the public interest by examining certain practices and representations of said concessionaires. Operationalizing this main research question by way of three sub- or corollary issues, and relying on the strength of documents that are entered as evidence in said case, the researchers found that the answer is in the affirmative. Specific practices of both firms are contrary to advancing the right of the general public to accessible and affordable water and to be charged reasonably for their consumption.