The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will create its own version of the Truth Commission to investigate top officials of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) for alleged graft and other cases of gross mismanagement and for splurging on bonuses and other financial benefits for themselves.

Bagong Henerasyon Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy said Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson has assured her that a special team will be formed to determine the veracity of reports that the MWSS management and board of trustees have transformed the water agency into a virtual milking cow.

Relatedly, Trade Union Congress Party Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza slammed the state-water firm for alleged failure to bring down the cost of water in Metro Manila amid the scandalous perks and financial privileges they have been receiving.

Mendoza said this should be blamed to the apparent “regulatory capture” of the MWSS by its water concessionaires – Manila Water and Maynilad.

“Since the privatization of MWSS and the operation of Manila Water and Maynilad, the regulatory agency had never turned down the petitions of the concessionaires for tariff increases,” Mendoza said.

Singson backed House Resolution 137 filed by Herrera Dy seeking the creation of an MWSS task force that would look into alleged multi-million peso irregularities in the disbursement of funds of the water agency.

In filing HR 137, Herrera-Dy said that a special body should be created to determine the veracity of reports that the MWSS board and management have abused their discretion in setting high salaries for the state water firm’s personnel and themselves and in granting “excessive remunerations, benefits and privileges without appropriate consultations, valid reasons and a sense of public decency.”

The neophyte solon said it was President Aquino who exposed to the public the unconscionable decisions made by the MWSS board in granting financial perks and privileges for themselves.

Herrera- Dy, a multi-awarded Quezon City councilor, noted that the Commission on Audit confirmed the accusations made by Aquino when it ordered MWSS officials to refund a total of P8,762,948.31 in expenses for allowances, medical health benefits and incentive bonuses and other perks distributed in 2000.

Citing the 2008 annual audit report, Herrera-Dy said COA discovered that the MWSS board allegedly approved over P500 million budget for the year despite the fact that the allocation had neither been reviewed nor approved by former President Arroyo.