People who are running are not running for office as much as they are running for a job or even worse, the opportunity to get their fingers in anything they can.

Corruption is the world over. In the U.S. there is so much corruption that they can’t pay the bills so now they want the rich to pay the bills that they never paid because the Government stole the money. They want the poor to pay also by cutting the medical assistance to the poor and social security to those who paid into the system for years.

Worldwide corruption is so rampant, people are used to it.

We should no longer put up with corruption. Look at Payatas. Every election people vote for candidates that promise them the world and shortly after they realize all they got in return was more garbage in the form of election banners illegally placed by the candidates.

It is our practice to walk the community every Saturday telling all about the salvation through Our Lord. We also try to talk to the people and help them in any way we can.

So, one day as we were walking, a lady approached me with her entourage and asked me if I could convince my Church members to vote for her for Council woman. I laughed and asked her where had she been as I never saw her in the area before. She said that’s because I just started to run. I could not believe it. I told her, look, if you want to serve the people (I don’t think she understood the concept) then come out here week after week and try to fix the problems. Do something to make a difference. Then when it is time for election, you probably won’t have to say anything. People will just want the person who loves to help them. She wasn’t elected.

Sometimes people are not elected because the vote is rigged.

All this needs to change. There is a man in the neighborhood who I hold in high esteem. He lives in Payatas and he is helping the people in Payatas every week.

Starting soon we will be promoting this man for the Barangay Captain position coming available in 2013. We will tell you all about him. Many of you know him.
There are a lot of issues in Payatas today, Building a palace for a barangay hall and installing fences on Payatas road so it is dangerous to wait for a Jeepney are not two of them.

Write down your ideas for changes and give it to us or post them. I know most are not on the internet so we will catch up with you house to house. We will ask you to get involved to count ballots and supervise so there is no tampering.

We are Payatas Mission Outreach, Inc. and Payatas Q.C. Baptist Church and Ministries, Inc. The only reason we are here is to make a difference in Payatas and we have done that for the past five years. Let’s join together and change this place.

We will see you soon.

We are a regular site to see each week as we all wear our red Payatas Baptist shirts and flood the area with our presence.

Last Saturday was no different. We spoke to residents and encourage them to come to Church. We also ask the parents to encourage their children to come. We use many different ways to make their lives and future better. It is a service so very beneficial to the community.

We teach various school subjects in our members houses so the children will have an extra advantage and better possibilities for the future. The Government will give a scholarship to the students who are at an 80% level and we help them to achieve that goal.

My wife teaches ESL which when learned they will have an opportunity to work in a call center making money instead of the garbage dump and suffering.

We also teach music. Seven students started learning the guitar. I gave them the incentive that if they played a couple of songs proficiently, the Church would buy them a guitar. Three youngsters received new guitars and it looks like more is on the way.

All For Jesus

One of our children at the Church was born without part of one arm and finger problems on the other. He was so happy that we bought him an Harmonica which he is now learning how to play.

Andrei the Harmonica player

My own children are taking the violin and flute and even my wife has joined and began lessons on the flute. It’s so wonderful for the entire church.

So why do I say that Payatas is the worst Barangay (County) in the Philippines? Well, with all we do, the local government does nothing to help and even tries to hinder our operations.

Last Feb. 2011, we had a bunch of doctors and nurses with support staff offer to come to have a medical mission to help the poor residents here. We had been asking for the use of the covered court and believed we had it. We also asked for use of the community tables and chairs. They put us off up until the day of the mission. I went down to speak to them and they told me that I could not use the court because the school was going to use it. We argued and I told them there were already about 600 people waiting for medical help and so if they wanted to evict them give it a shot. So they backed down but still never gave us the tables and chairs needed so I had to pay out of my own family money something of which a missionary does not have much.

About one thousand people were helped but the Barangay thought it better to try to stop it.

This past Saturday, we went past the Barangay hall and the residents were telling us that although the Barangay claims to be fighting against the Dengue disease, they have been parking their garbage trucks in front of the local homes. The stench combined with the wet garbage residue is a welcome mat for the disease carrying mosquitoes.
They pleaded with the Barangay to park the vehicles elsewhere but they refused. I guess the Barangay doesn’t realize that they exist because of the people and not vice versa.

This sums up the Barangay response to the people

Anyway, I told one of our members to start taking photos of the situation. Immediately a guard came out and to began to question my man on what he was doing. I stepped in and asked him why did he need to know. He told me we needed “Permission” to take photographs. I said since when? This is the Philippines, a free Country and we are on public property (the street) then another one came over. We nicely told them to back off and they went away finally.

They don’t do more than they do here. The roads have large  deep holes that you could easily disappear if you fell in one. The streets are filthy and garbage trucks are allowed to dump trash in the street to sort. It’s a mess. In another blog, Payatas is a very Holey Place, I showed the many holes and also the empty library or shack they called a library. In any event they built it but never put books in. I think they call that smoke and mirrors.

they also refused our request for a waiting shed so that women, especially with their babies, could wait out of the heat or rain for transportation. Instead they built about a km long bamboo fence on the very edge of the road. It immediately became a filthy eyesore and within days the trucks were knocking parts of it down. what was the response from the Barangay? Build it again. The same thing happened. Then they decided to build it out of metal. Parts of it have been crashed into and most of it was never completed. Just another disgrace.

Payatas is a great place if you are talking about the people. They work hard and try to raise their children well. Now if we can get the Government on their side, perhaps we can change it for the better.

If you have complaints about the Barangay, feel free to drop us a note.

P.S. Watch these pages for we are about to put up a real decent God fearing person for Barangay Captain. We covet your prayers.

The bible teaches us in Deu_11:29 And it shall come to pass, when the LORD thy God hath brought thee in unto the land whither thou goest to possess it, that thou shalt put the blessing upon mount Gerizim, and the curse upon mount Ebal.

Let me give you the easy reading translation of that verse. God is directing His people. (If you do not know Jesus as your Lord and savior go here to find out how to be saved: http://www.payatasbaptistchurch.org/wordfrompastor.asp?mainmenuidno=WFTP2345&content=firstpage
Now, getting back to what I was saying, this verse describes to us that God is leading His people. 24/7 we are led by God. That does not mean we always follow Him.
Mt Gerizim represents how we will do when we obey Him. Mt Ebal shows us the results of disobedience.

Let’s make it clearer. The relationship between us and God is similar to the relationship between parent and child. For example, you tell your child to play in the yard and do not go down the street. Your child is very young and telling him/her that there are violent people who might do terrible things and explaining what they could do is ridiculous. So you just tell your child to play in the yard. So now your child looks down the street from the yard and sees how nice it looks down there. Perhaps their friends are down the block or a puppy that got loose and so they rush off to save it. You did not give them a conditional warning. You gave them an explicit warning yet they disobeyed so now you mete out the punishment.

The children never say, “Well, we deserved it because we did not obey.” They say, “What a mean parent we have.” they don’t understand that you are doing what is best for them and they are not happy little campers.

Let’s get back to big people and God. We do the same thing. One big thing we don’t do is to trust God. If we are out of work and a job offer comes in but it is required of us to work during the time that we usually attend Church, we cave in. The first thing that pops in our mind is that church is at the same time. That would be the Holy Spirit speaking to us, The next thing that occurs is we begin to argue with the Holy Spirit. We say things like, “Well, the family has to eat.” “God wants me to work.” These things are of course true but there is no God in that answer. You are just twisting the scripture to move things in your own direction.
Let’s look at this the way the truth sees it. God is absolutely real. He loves us. He wants us to prosper in our lives. He does not necessarily make us rich but wants us to prosper with a happy life. By the way, he wants us to pay our bills.
Now, if the Devil can offer you work on Sunday, how much more can God offer you work and give you the days off you need?
It’s really up to you. Do you believe God is in charge of everything or does He just let us go in circles until we run out of energy?

Without going too deep in one writing, each day is a test. Will you choose to obey God or obey the Devil?

Should I steal? Should I commit adultery? Should I lie? Should I not trust God for my needs? On and on. Most are obvious and some are not.

Do you want to prosper and do well?

Then listen to my life verse:

Jos 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Simple Answers: Read your Bible – In it you will find all the words of life

Follow God – Do you have a better choice?

Seek Him in Prayer – He will answer you.

Here are a bunch of facts concerning various companies and notable people. Let’s see with what conclusion you will arrive. Note: To date, no one has been brought to court or to my knowledge has ever answered to any wrongdoing. This article is just to give the facts as could be seen from websites, email and phone conversations and the like.

You can draw your own conclusions. Also, anyone who was associated with this “event” can feel free to write me if they have something to add.

Just before Christmas of 2008, there was a massive appeal to “help” the poor in Payatas.

The Lighthouse Mission International , also known as Lighthouse Mission for Children located at
135 West Avenue 1105, Quezon City MM. Their website: (http://lighthouseforchildren.com/) which has conveniently been closed down and the site removed.This was under the direction of Judge Veneracion who has since passed on. It also included a Pastor and a few others.

These were the people who were behind the fund raiser known as “Christmas For Payatas” in 2008′

I first went to see Judge Veneracion at his office. He was very personable and I also noticed he was promoting a product called the Quantum Pendant which he and his cohorts bragged that it healed everything. It was expensive and I told him that I would not buy anything I did not have personal proof that it worked so he offered to let me wear it free for a week. I accepted his offer and proved it a scam during that week and returned it. This is the present web address of the company, they represented: www.fusionexcel.com This is the domain registration for Fusion excel:
Administrative Contact:
Lee, K.S. wwwkslee@yahoo.com
FusionExcel International Limited
Suite 801, 8F, Pacific Building,
20, Queen’s Road
Central, 55200
Hong Kong
Upon searching you will find Mr Paul Ting as the founder of Fusion Excel.

I am showing you the close connection between Judge Veneration’s group called Lighthouse and Paul Ting’s group called Fusion Excel as Mr Ting’s group was a major player in donating money to Judge Vereracion’s “Christmas for Payatas” and also promoting it.

The plot thickens. They get a Company called “Tote Daddy”  involved in raising the money. Their website is: http://www.totedaddy.com/index.asp?clanguage=

As you can see below, Tote Daddy is owned by Matthew Ting, Paul Ting’s (Fusion excel) brother.
Tote Daddy plays an important part in raising the money for “Christmas in Payatas”
By the way, according to their website they raised in excess of $83,000 for Christmas for Payatas.

Administrative Contact:
Ting, Matthew help@totedaddy.com
ToteDaddy
19G Burgundy Corporate Tower
252 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave
Makati City, NA
Philippines
9278054343

Now we show the three major players in this “Charitable” venture.

I have tried to contact all of these people and no one could tell me where any of the money went. Lighthouse (through the local Lyons club who is somehow associated with this group) gave my organization about 65 pairs of sneakers, shorts and t shirts (Maybe to quiet me) but no one could tell me how or where the money went. The Ting Brothers never responded whatsoever.

Whenever our organization has a fund raiser, we very quickly post on the internet and our mailings just where the money went, what was accomplished and testimonies of those receiving the designated gifts. Yet when this fund raiser that was purported to raise money for housing and schooling and livelihood programs, was over, there was not one bit of information as to what good came out of it. I personally visited Churches in the area and no one could tell me of anyone who was helped.

They had movie stars, sports figures, even former Quezon City Mayor Sonny Belmonte and former President Arroyo, in their advertising  photos to support this major thrust that would help so many people.

ABS-CBN was on all the t shirts as a sponsor of this event..One of their people was photographed with the leaders as she held up a “Christmas For Payatas shirt”. I contacted ABS-CBN and they denied involvement. When I told them about the photo they said that their representative did not know why she was holding up the shirt and taking a photo.

Lighthouse has taken down their website and can not be found. Fusion excel with their super pendant that heals everything has been exposed at least for the ineffectiveness of their pendant: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJanZ40Eg-o&feature=related

Tote Daddy is still going as far as I know.

Here is the question, I have tried to Contact both of the Ting Brothers, Lighthouse Foundation, ABS-CBN (denies affiliation) and no one has ever responded. Is this the politics of the Philippines?

So many bloggers, blogged about this great fundraiser that was going to help so many but when I wrote rebuttals to their sites they neither responded nor took down their ads for the program. Some would not even let me post to reveal the truth. Was this a major conspiracy to defraud generous givers?

Was the former President and Mayor privy to this information? Surely they know now. How about the actors and actresses and sports figures? Did they know? Maybe they were duped.

In conclusion let this be a warning as to how you donate your money. There are many unscrupulous people out there who would use the poor to get what they want.

If you want to help others, go to http://www.PayatasMissionOutreach.org. And check us out and what we have been doing. W e have been here five years and as you will see in our multiple websites, we have done much through our Lord to help these poor people.

In the meantime, here is one of the web pages that had been removed:

The Lighthouse

hOME    ABOUT US     PROGRAMS     WAYS TO HELP     CONTACT
Christmas for Payatas
The landfill in Payatas, The Philippines, is notoriously known the world over as Smokey Mountain. the world over as Smokey Mountain. For over 35 years, the smoking dump site has grown to become a stark and heart-tugging reminder of the desperate conditions of humanity.
�
On a daily basis, children pick through newly arrived garbage to collect
material to sell. The earnings made by one child are not enough to even buy food for the day. Hence, entire families are forced to climb the mountain each day, hoping to earn enough to feed everyone.

Children as young as four years buy food for the day. Hence, entire old are forced to work in this daily struggle for survival.  On 10 July 2000, after a period of heavy rain, a trashslide occurred in the Payatas dump claiming over 200 lives, including many children. The tragic victims were the scavengers and sorters at the dump site and  those living in the nearby shanties. While the authorities instituted better management of the site after the tragedy, many continue to depend on scavenging as it is their only means of livelihood. Fortunately, there are caring organisations such as The Lighthouse Center such as The Lighthouse Center For Children Foundation, run by Judge Lorenzo B. Veneracion (former Manila judge and Charter President of Rotary Club Quezon City North). They operate a much-needed charity project to alleviate the children’s sufferings and to help reduce their dependence on scavenging as a livelihood. Among their supporters are FusionExcel International, which has previously donated funds towards this worthy initiative.
The Lighthouse Center For Children Foundation currently provides food to these underprivileged children, now numbering over 2000 children daily. The foundation hopes to be able to feed 5000-10,000 children every day if it can raise additional funds. There are over 20,000 children living on Smokey Mountain. Intending to function as more than a soup kitchen, the foundation embarked on a Literacy Program for the Payatas children.Most of the children are not attending school, but helping, at their tender age, to support families. Nevertheless, most of the children dream of becoming teachers, nurses or doctors. Sadly, their dreams are hindered by the reality of poverty and its vicious cycles.

Through the educational component of the project, the Foundation hopes to break the cycle.

In addition, programs are also on-going for Health Care Services and Skills and Livelihood Training are being conducted for the adults.
�
In response to the plight of these children, Totedaddy.com, the event forecast portal, is working with Lighthouse Center For Children Foundation to bring a little cheer to the children this Christmas
�
Totedaddy.com is kicking it off with a cash sponsorship of USD 10,000 to enable the children to celebrate Christmas. FusionExcel International is also pitching in USD 5,000 cash sponsorship. The larger goal is to raise at least USD 100,000 via a specially created event on its website; targeted towards its global audience. The money raised will help fund the projects already in place.
�
Former soccer stars Ray Parlour (of Arsenal) and Lee Sharpe (of Manchester United), and golf long-drive specialist Jean Daniels of South Africa have graciously agreed to fly to Philippines to shoot a video to lend support to the cause. Joining them will be Philippine basketball legends Samboy “Skywalker” Lim and Allan “Triggerman” Caidic.
�
Other prominent supporters of Christmas for Payatas include former badminton World Champion and Olympic gold medalist Rexy Mainaky of Indonesia, former badminton champion Foo Kok Keong of Malaysia, Maheresa ” Maite” T. Defensor (President & CEO Philippines National Construction Corporation and former Congresswoman), the Football Association of Selangor (Malaysia) and Masters Football Asia.

It is hoped that by creating better awareness to the plight of these children, more support can be garnered towards their betterment. This is in line with Totedaddy.com’s corporate social responsibility to uplift underprivileged communities worldwide through charity projects.
�
Together we can bury poverty!

Christmas for Payatas Supporters.

ABS-CBN Foundation Inc (the community outreach division of the Philippine’s largest television broadcaster) will be taking part in the Christmas for Payatas event, through its flagship Bayani Juan community development program.
�
Bayani Juan has experience in implementing waste recycling Judge Lorenzo B. Veneracion
technology, converting waste into useful materials. Bio-degradable waste is converted into methane gas, which can power shredders and styro ovens to melt down plastics, which can then be used to manufacture any number of goods. Use of this technology helps provide a cleaner environment, and an ongoing source of income for the families in Payatas.

ENGLISH

Aug 25 2011
10:11:20 AM

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Prominent Supporters of Christmas for Payatas   Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, President of the Philippines   Mayor Sonny Belmonte of Quezon City, and Congressman Mat Defensor of Quezon City   L-R: Lee Sharpe (former Manchester United player), Jean Daniels (South African golf long-drive specialist), Congresswoman Cynthia Villar of Las Pinas, Philippine Senate President Manny Villar, Ray Parlour (former Arsenal player), Steve Black (owner of Masters Football International), Robert Teasdale (licensee of Masters Football Asia)   Noli L. De Castro, Vice President of the Philippines   Allan �Triggerman� Caidic, Philippine basketball legend   Alvin �The Captain�, Patrimonio Philippine basketball legend   Samboy �Skywalker� Lim, Philippine basketball legend   Former badminton champion Foo Kok Keong of Malaysia   Maria Theresa Defensor (President and CEO of Philippine National Construction Corp. and former Congresswoman) and Mayor Sonny Belmonte of Quezon City   Former badminton World Champion and Olympic gold medallist Rexy Mainaky of Indonesia   L-R: Pastor Arthur Medina; Regina Paz Lopez (Managing Director of ABS-CBN Foundation Inc); Judge Lorenzo B. Veneracion   Jean Daniels (South African golf long-drive specialist) and Robert Teasdale (licensee of Masters Football Asia)   L-R: Judge Lorenzo B. Veneracion of Lighthouse Center for Children Foundation; Paul Ting, CEO of FusionExcel International; Mary Rose; Zorah Andam, former Miss Philippines and runner-up Miss Universe;ToteDaddy representative   L-R: Tonton Guitierrez, Actor; Ramon Christopher Guitierrez, Actor; Manuel Monsour Del Rosario III, Philippine Tae Kwon Do Champion and Action Movie Star; Gene Padilla, Comedian; Ronnie Ricketts, Action Movie Star and Director   L-R: Judge Lorenzo B. Veneracion of Lighthouse Center for Children Foundation; Cory Quirino, author, newspaper columnist and TV hostess of popular Philippine show �A Good Life�;ToteDaddy representative ; Paul Ting, CEO of FusionExcel International   L-R: Paul Ting, CEO of FusionExcel International; Rudy Hartono, former World Champion Indonesian badminton player   Ade Rai, champion world-class Indonesian bodybuilder   Candra Wijaya, Indonesian Olympic gold medallist in badminton   Suzy Susanti, Indonesian Olympic gold medallist in badminton   Melanie Putria, Miss Indonesia 2002   L-R: TV Producer Vilma Selga; Jeremy Looi; Charo Santos, President of ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation, Philippines; Cory Quirino, author, newspaper columnist and TV hostess of popular Philippine show �A Good Life�;   Don Chan, President and CEO FE Thailand Country Licensee   Gen.Dato Kitti Rattanachayaa, Former Southern Area Thailand Army Comander   Mr.Rit Luacha, Thai Superstar (Actor)   Dr.Sombat Metanee Ph.D.,Thai Superstar(Actor)   Pro.Dr.Vichit Bunyahotra Md.   James Wong, Malaysian Actor   Chris John of Indonesia, 10 times World Boxing Association Featherweight Super Champion (still in bandages after his match with Hiroyuki Enoki)   Philippine Basketball Team Purefood Giants   L-R: Paul Ting, CEO FusonExcel International; Margarita M. Floirendo, Co-Chairperson Friends of Habitat for Humanity Philippines and former Miss Universe   Karen Kong, Malaysian Singer   … And most importantly, the children of Payatas!

PLEASE! If you really want to help Payatas, go here to make a real donation that counts: http://www.payatasmissionoutreach.org/donation.asp

Hi,
Thanks for answering. I will respond because your answer is reasonable but not necessarily true.

Your first paragraph says:
first: about the p50,000 re-connection fee, I think it includes all the unpaid balance and penalties of the previous owner. it will be charged to you if you are going to use the old water meter.. the second amount (p18,000) is a discounted price since the commissioner of MAYNILAD has the power invested to him by MAYNILAD’s charter to forgive or recompute the amount for unpaid balances given that it will be a different person that will use the same water meter. So technically the MAYNILAD is not trying to rob you..they are just following the rules and regulation and also they don’t hate GOD..

In one sense you are right. The charge was for the last renters unpaid balance. However, that went on for a couple of years until I sent a negotiator down with the Landlord to relieve her of that responsibility. The offer of replacing the meter and charging 18,000 was well after the negotiated old bill and was never offered to her until recently.

Btw, your telling me they don’t hate God is just your opinion. Trying to charge a non-profit agency that does not use an exceptional amount of water,such as for manufacturing or the like is borderline criminal. There is no justified or legitimate reason for so doing it.

Your second paragraph: second: when they say that they are willing to reconnect the service at residential rate, I think they are referring to the land lady since most of the units are used as a residential home. But you tried to take advantage of this and have the service reconnected at residential status. This is a clear violation for you are using the place as a place of worship or as a church and not for residential purposes. The contract is invalid because it is for residential customers and your place do not qualify as a residential place. So the MAYNILAD is again just following the rules and regulation when they charged you p1,200 which I guess is the minimum charge for commercial customers.

You said I “tried to take advantage” You don’t know me sir and neither do I know you. I may take advantage of a sale or a special offer but I came to this Country to help the poorest of poor , giving up my life and living a basic life with only essentials supplied. To say that I would “take advantage of anyone is a disrespectful slur to my character and I take exception. You should evaluate your words before saying bad about someone else. The very fact that I have on record, a complaint that they are charging me “as a Church” a commercial rate when I believe that they should not, and their response that I will have a residential rate is their words, in their language.

Your third paragraph states: third: about the issue of discrimination. It is discrimination if that policy was just added when you applied for service but it was not. That certain policy is already existing since the creation of MAYNILAD therefor it is not directed to you and not discriminating you and your church.

You may not be familiar with the constitution which was written by General MacArthur and is like the U.S. Constitution. there is no start or stop dates for discrimination. If that were true, slavery would never have been abolished. Discrimination, when it is uncovered is to be fought against vigorously. President Aquino has stated that in the absence of corruption poverty does not exist. (sic) So whether we are fighting against some established discrimination or new, we fight all the same.

Your fourth paragraph states: I guess this kind of issues arises to the fact that sometimes we tend to ignore the policies, rules and regulation. We prefer to believe what other says. I do believe that MAYNILAD is created by virtue of a charter. The same charter also includes the policies, rules and regulation that the corporation has to follow and surely you can understand why you are being charged p1200.

Absolutely not. We have had charters in the U.S. which said that no blacks were allowed. Those Charters were either revoked or amended. Charters by the way are granted by the Government on behest of it’s citizens. So the citizens should have the final vote in all matters which are discriminatory or illegal. I fail to understand what you mean when you say, we ignore policies,rules and regs, as we received no such paperwork except a contract for RESIDENTIAL services. I imagine you respect contracts. By the way, for your information, our Church uses much less water than the minimum of other residential houses. In addition to that, Maynilad supplies us with water, only two hours per day when all the surrounding areas have water pretty much 24 and 7 yet the same minimum rate applies to them. This area that is not supplied with water is one of the poorest of poor areas in Payatas. the water is full force down the road at the local schools, passes our sector and goes on to full service in Amlac. Perhaps we will be able to get Congress to make an investigation.It also seems to be discrimination against the poor.

Finally, your last two statements:
MAYNILAD do not hate GOD.. They are just following their policies..

And their policies are discriminatory. (see above) Once again, your assessment of whether they hate God or not is based on What? Mine is based on a clear policy over charging anyone who uses a place for worship. By the way, that statement is so broad that if challenged in Court it will be thrown out as that could suggest if anyone prays or reads the scriptures in their home or has a home Bible study they will be charged commercial rate.

and by the way, I do not work for MAYNILAD nor I have relatives of friends working for them..I am just a student..

I must congratulate you if you are ‘just a student” as your command of the English language is very good with a couple of exceptions. As I do not know who you are I can only assume. I would say you are either a law student looking to debate or you most certainly are linked to Maynilad in some way. I assume that because you mentioned some things in your email that only Maynilad knew and was not published. Also, you have such a desire to support Maynilad in the face of obvious discrepancies both in their policies as well as their contracts with us and with the physical evidence we posses. the third choice is you are anti-religion or just anti Baptist and are showing it this way. I am just guessing.

I am not a lawyer but after conferring with some great minds, I have been convinced that this is a slam dunk case and would be a major victory for religious rights as well as the rights of the poor.

Don’t feel bad. People, especially the poor, can only take lies and cheating for so long. Look at people power.

Thanks for writing.

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 met again with my friendly Maynilad representatives and although it is nice to converse with them, it gets us no where.

The conversation ended the same way as the last time with no new hope. I did pick up a couple of tidbits such as there are approximately 10,000 people who do not get a regular supply of water here in Payatas.

I also learned that Maynilad is looking to go public  by selling stock.

I’m not sure but would that affect the decision to supply water to the poor? Perhaps if I were buying stock I would not want to see a deficit of spending for poor people. I would want to make money not spend it,

I wrote to the United Nations today. Perhaps someone there will figure out why Maynilad whose slogan is “Water for All” does not live up to that slogan.

In the mean time, if you think Maynilad should supply steady water to the poor and infirm, drop them an email at:”CustomerHelpdesk” <customerhelpdesk@mayniladwater.com.ph>

The following is my diary of contacting the “officials” and their response to that contact:

We had been calling Deped through a series of phone numbers that went unanswered or were perpetually busy (or off the hook)
at which point we found an email address in which to voice our concerns.

First email: June  2011

I am writing to make you aware of the terrible conditions in the local schools here in Payatas. I will include a link to photos and an article which is specifically about Group 1 area b Payatas elementary School. I am sure however, this is typical of most schools in the poor areas.

The supervisors are smoking among the children. Lights are missing or no bulbs. It is the same with the fans. Filth is every where and I am sure people were paid to prepare and to maintain these schools. They should be arrested.

Please look the following over and respond to this as to what will be done. If nothing will be done we will go to the media.://apps.facebook.com/causes/229870/11758075?

http://www.payatasbaptistchurch.org/wordpress/

http://escobia225.multiply.com/photos/album/153/Payatas_schools_start_in_June_-_Welcome_to_Hell

Their response:

This is to acknowledge receipt of your email sent to the DETxt Action Center of the Department of Education.

Rest assured that it will be forwarded to the concerned Office and acted upon at the soonest time possible.

(Notice it is called “ACTION Center)

I had not heard from them in about two weeks so I decided to follow up:

June 25th, 2011

I realize that the wheels of justice turn slowly but it has been almost two weeks and we are speaking of the Children’s welfare. what has happened to repair the problem?

Thank you.

That email was completely ignored.

I send another:June 30

Your email address suggests action but there has been none at all as the children still suffer. Please tell me the email address of someone that may tell me what they are doing to correct the problems at the schools.
I have been waiting a long time for a response.

Finally, a response:

—— Original Message ——
Received: Thu, 30 Jun 2011 06:52:59 AM EDT
From: “action” <action@deped.gov.ph>
To: <7101@usa.net>
Subject: RE: RE: Terrible school conditions in Payatas

We apologize for the long time of waiting for the response. May we inform you that your concern was forwarded to the Division of Quezon City since it is the proper office who should take appropriate action regarding the issues raised in the email.

May we also inform you that part of the protocol in taking action to various concerns brought to this office is to refer the matter to appropriate field office within the scope of the Department. We understand your concern, however, please do understand also that the Department is attending various concerns of the 55,230  schools nationwide and there are so many things to do to address equally important issues particularly the childrens welfare. We hope that your concern is not only limited to passing the responsibility to the government or to this department, but also doing our very own efforts to make changes we want in areas with undesirable conditions without expecting much from an institution.

You may coordinate your concerns or follow up your concerns to the Division of Quezon City at tel. nos. 920.3229; 456.0343; 468.1592

Thank you.

DETxt Action Center

My Response:

Hi,
Your email is a bit confusing. Please let me tell you what I understand it to say and then you can correct me if I am wrong.

You say you handle 55,230 schools nationwide. Do you not have it organized into districts and locales? Are there not overseers for certain areas?

You said, ” there are so many things to do to address equally important issues particularly the childrens welfare
does that mean that you handle too many things and can’t get to the children’s welfare in the poor area of Payatas because you have to take care of the other schools?

This last part ” We hope that your concern is not only limited to passing the responsibility to the government or to this department, but also doing our very own efforts to make changes we want in areas with undesirable conditions without expecting much from an institution”

I understand this to mean that I can not expect you or the government to do much at all. you seem to indicate that I am only passing the responsibility to the government.Hmmm? Who should I pass it to? Taxes are paid to the government and they are responsible to do what is right with those taxes.

Are you saying that I can play a larger role in this? I would be glad to. Please give me a letter of authorization and I will go into the local schools and make sure the maintainence is done by the people who are already getting paid to do it. Also give me the authority to fire all who do not do their jobs in a proficient matter.

By His Grace,
Pastor Jack Wilson
Payatas Quezon City Baptist Church And Ministries, Inc.

Please visit our sites:
Payatas Mission Outreach, Inc. 501 (c) 3 Non-profit U.S.A.
Payatas Q.C. Baptist Church and Ministries, Inc.
Photos documenting the work (over 4000)Monthly reports documenting the work since 2006
Savepayatas.com
Join us on FaceBook: http://apps.facebook.com/causes/229870/11758075?

I have not yet received a response from these people but as you can clearly see, they have 55,230 schools which they are not able to handle. It also shows that they informed me that no one should expect them to do anything about the problems in the schools and if we want something done, we need to do it ourselves.

A plea to all you recently elected and re-elected politicians who swore you were the friend of the people and you wanted to serve them. Let’s see what you can do with this situation.

The other day three men visited me from Maynilad. They all were nicely dressed in their Maynilad polos and were actually, very nice people.

It stops there. Other than it being a friendly conversation, nothing was accomplished.

They came armed with maps of the area and proceeded to tell me about what I already knew with an additional revelation.

They told me that the water that is supplied to Payatas comes from the South West, and continues past where we are and on to the the Village of Amlac where they get about twenty hours of water per day.

So I said to them, “Are you saying that you are supplying water to Amlac with water that is closed to us , to allow it to flow to them?” He replied, “Yes.”

He then told me that it will require a new pumping station to supply the water needed to us. He also said that it had been proposed for 2015.

Why does Amlac get the water and we don’t although we are closer? It is because there are less poor people there and so the discrimination continues.

I gave them two proposals. The first one was to build the pumping station now. The owners of Maynilad have plenty of water. They get it from having the privilege of distributing the water. That privilege was given to them by the government which included the people of Payatas. Hmmmm?

The second one was to take water from LaMesa and let it flow to us. Install shut offs so the water does not go further south then necessary. After all, we are a scant few yards away from the reservoir.

It;s so close I can taste it---NOT!

As of now they have not responded. They did give me a proposal. I should pay for a water tank and the problem would be solved. Even if I could afford one which I can not, what about the entire population of those who can not?

So once again it’s too bad for the poor as the President of Maynilad gets to flush his toilet and run his shower and perhaps wash his Mercedes or whatever he has.

The bottom line is that Maynilad does not think poor people are a good investment. While these poor people take care of the largest waste management program for free and get a mere pittance for their work when they try to sell what  things they have picked. Meanwhile  the Government collects fees from the trucks that come from all over to dump at the dump site.

The poor people in Payatas have been abused long enough. Let’s get some justice now.

Please call your politicians. You know who. the ones who promised everything just before the last election.

Payatas, it is time to rise up!

As a matter of fact, the La Mesa Dam and reservoir is directly across the road from every affected area in Payatas and as you will see from my window, it is very close.

Water,Water, everywhere...(Except Payatas)

So then why does Payatas have such a hard time getting water?

This reservoir is reserved for the rich areas such as that of Manila and Makati. The water supplied to us is from another reservoir which is below us. In order to supply the northern portions of Payatas with 24 hour a day water  (The kind most people are used to)  They would have to install a pumping station something they have not done for years.

So, you might ask, how do we get our water?

Maynilad employees turn valves. It seems they have enough pressure to supply one area at a time so they will turn all the valves off and turn one on at a time so we can have water.

Here is a copy of their latest communication with me:

Dear Reverend Wilson,

Maginhawang hapon!

We wish to inform you that four control valves have already been installed at Villa Garcia to improve the water supply in your area. Since the same is located at a high portion, 24/7 availability of water is not yet possible. However, strong water pressure is observed from 3pm to 7am. This was witnessed by your land lady, Mrs. Murzo. In view of this, we suggest you store water during the said period.

We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this matter may have caused you. We hope to have informed you accordingly.

Thank you.

Kind regards,

MJ

MJ happily tells us that we have the availability of water between 3pm and 7pm. What does this mean? Watch.

First off, I am not usually here during those hours. So that means I should drive 1/2 hour to Payatas every day to “See” if they turned the valve, fill up everything I can find and then drive home.

Then they suggested that I “store water” you know, how you might do in an emergency situation if you were going to have to shut off your water for repairs. Unlike that situation it would mean that you would collect pails, buckets and containers and put them all over your house to “store” water. You will do that every day.  If you are old, crippled, whatever, you must do that. I asked if the President of Maynilad does that but received no answer.

Their other alternative was that we use a water tank. In other words to use their service (service???) we should buy equipment to store their water.

It’s kind of like, “Let them eat cake” as this place is poverty stricken.

They fail to realize that the privilege to distribute water and make a profit on it is a serious one. Why don’t they hook us up to the reservoir across the road or put in a water pump that can supply us with water?

Can you spell corruption? What government agency oversees Maynilad and looks the other way?

Can you help? Call , write your elected officials and find out where the buck stops. This is why this Country is not great like it could be. There is no motivation to serve and to do what is right.