We have been meeting in this building for five years this coming November where we preach the word of God, teach His word and also teach the poor children in the area to greatly improve their chances for employment.

When we first arrived there was a conflict with Maynilad because the last tenant had a leak and owed them p50,000. They wanted us to pay their bill before we could get the water turned on. Imagine that. They wanted us to pay someone else’s bill.

Anyway we went to Maynilad and eventually they forgot about trying to rob us but then they had another way to do it. They wanted somewhere around p18,00 to turn on our water. They said they had to charge us that much because we were a Church.

That’s strange. I can see if we were profiting off the water or used an inordinate amount which caused them to have to spend more pumping it to us but no. It was just because we were a Church.

So I decided not to do business with them. Recently (within the last two months) they approached my landlady with a deal. For p1,000 they would install our meter at the residential rate. Great. (I have a copy of that contract) So now we get water about two hours per day for minimum residential rate.

That was short lived as they sent us a bill for over p1,200 for the first months water. Mind you that we use less than most residences and they only supply it two hours a day, mostly when we are not here. So I sent them a email to which they respond: —— Original Message ——

Received: Thu, 09 Jun 2011 11:38:32 PM EDT

From: “Customer Helpdesk” <customer.helpdesk@mayniladwater.com.ph>

To: <7101@usa.net>

Subject: RE: MAYNILAD website community report-CA56345373

Dear Father,

Good morning!

Your Contract/account No is CA56345373, residential rate.

Your bill for June 2011 is P99.03  (5cum) which is minimum charge.

Your other concern was already endorsed to our Fairview/

Commonwealth Business Area.

We will get back to you for the latest update.

Regards,

Lorie

So finally I think they are now doing what;s right until I received a two month bill for over p2,400.

So I sent this:

 

I  just received a double bill from my land lady acct 60956400 which is not my acct. The following is a letter from your office:  —— Original Message —— Received: Thu, 09 Jun 2011 11:38:32 PM EDT From: “Customer Helpdesk” <customer.helpdesk@mayniladwater.com.ph> To: <7101@usa.net> Subject: RE: MAYNILAD website community report-CA56345373 Dear Father, Good morning! Your Contract/account No is CA56345373, residential rate. Your bill for June 2011 is P99.03  (5cum) which is minimum charge. This is the answer that I received: Dear Reverend Wilson, Maginhawang hapon! As per investigation of our zone head, your landlady, Mrs. xxxxx has 3 registered Maynilad accounts. You probably received two of the three billing statements. As per Maynilad’s policy on rate classifications, houses and establishments with religious activities will be rated and billed as commercial. Our zone head had talked to Mrs. Murzo via phone. The latter said that she has informed you of the said rate. We hope to have informed you accordingly. Thank you. Kind regards, MJ Did you notice that????? Here it is again: houses and establishments with religious activities will be rated and billed as commercial. According to this because a place has religious activities Maynilad will charge you more money. Doesn’t that sound like religious discrimination? It also says houses. So, technically, if you say prayers in your house they can consider that a religious activity. This seems to be getting very close to a class action lawsuit. What do you think?