CAMIGUIN (PIA)--The Camiguin Water Camiguin (CWC) reminds customers to protect their water meters in order to ensure continuous water service following a recent incident in Barangay Bura, Catarman, where allegedly 25 water meters were destroyed on purpose.
CWC has promised customers that they will do everything they can to find out who did it, bring them to justice to the fullest extent of the law, and give them the appropriate punishments.
"We know that accidents happen, but causing deliberate damage to water supply assets is a crime that not only causes financial loss but also affects the water supply of the whole community," CWC General Manager Danvir Farnazo said.
Section 8 of Republic Act No. 8041, or the National Water Crisis Act of 1995, prohibits the willful damage, destruction, or tampering with water meters, pipes, and other equipment used in water distribution systems. Any person found guilty of violating this provision may face imprisonment for 6 months to 2 years and the payment of stiff penalties.
Farnazo said CWC takes such matters seriously and will not tolerate any unlawful act that affects their operations or ability to provide quality water service to their customers.
"We understand the importance of providing our customers with a reliable and consistent water supply. We also recognize the inconvenience and frustration that can arise when customer meters are damaged, as is the case in this unfortunate incident," Farnazo added.
CWC is replacing all 25 damaged water meters right now, and they ask customers to be careful with their water meters, stub-outs, and distribution lines.
Farnazo also reminded the users of the Camiguin Water Service Connection Contract, which says that if the water meter is stolen, lost, damaged, or doesn't work properly for any billing period, the customer agrees to pay the water bill for that period in an amount equal to the average monthly usage over the past three months.
CWC urges customers to call their customer hotline at 0998-314-0838 right away if there is any damage or destruction that was done on purpose.
Farnazo said, "We appreciate the trust and support of our customers, and we're still committed to giving you safe and reliable water service." He also thanked customers for helping to protect CWC facilities and make sure the province has a safe and reliable water supply. (RTP/PIA-10/Camiguin)