Water concessionaires in Metro Manila and nearby provinces appealed to local officials and other concerned agencies to allow them to repair pipe leaks even without the excavation permits.

In a recent press conference, Herbert Consunji Maynilad chief operating officer and officer-in-charge (OIC) said it take weeks before its field personnel can undertake the repairs of pipe leaks or replacement of unserviceable water pipes causing an increase of water wastage.

He sought the assistance of Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo to convince the affected mayors the needed leeway to expedite the firm’s repair or replacement of water pipelines.

Maynilad the water concessionaire responsible for the West Zone areas of Metro Manila and Cavite and Manila Water the company that has jurisdiction over the East Zone areas of Metro Manila said that their works are sometimes delayed as the permits take several days to process.

Robredo consented to the request of the water concessionaires as he urged the provincial governor of Cavite and Metro Manila mayors to accede to the appeal to prevent possible water crisis. He insisted that administrative requirements and payments for such permits should be complied within a reasonable period from the start of repair works.