Manila Water

My sister and I are renting an apartment here in Mandaluyong. We have been here since the year 2003.Our monthly consumption at that time runs between 60 to 100 pesos.

One to two years ago (I am not sure of the exact date), Manila water had a project of replacing all water meters in our street. Before they replaced the water meters for our compound, the one for my rented apartment is located 3rd from the right. After the replacement, the water meter for my apartment was placed 2nd from the right.

After this, my consumption immediately spiked to almost 700 pesos. I called the company call center and was subsequently told that it will be investigated and that I am going to be contacted. No one did. SO I went to the local office here in Mandaluyong. Again, I was told that an investigation will happen. For some reason, it seems that the call center and the local office are not communicating properly as they are telling me different reasons why my bill went up so drastically. I had to go back to the local office, just to be told that it was not Manila Waters fault why the reading went up. I informed them that this happened after the replacement of the water meters. I informed them that they may be reading the wrong meter (As I have said earlier, my water meter had been placed from third in the row to second in the row). I was just told to just pay for at leatst half of the 700 or so billing.

To avoid any further waste of time and trouble, I agreed.

So it went for many months, my water billing stayed well above the 100 peso maximum that I used to have. Sometimes it would even go up to more than 300 pesos. For two working persons, spending only 1/8th of their time at home and yet be able to consume that much water! We must be drowning already!

Just last month, our neighbors water service was cut by Manila Water!

Just last month, the local meter reader (his ID says Ronald is his name), informed me that he has been reading the wrong meter all along!!

And so again, I was told by the Manila Water call center that it is going to be investigated. And so again, I had to go to the local office because their call center kept on saying that they can't do anything about and that I have to wait from someone from the local office. And so again I was told by the local office that the issue is going to be investigated. And then, when they talked to my sister, they said that the billing will be adjusted.

LO AND BEHOLD!!! My bill for the month of July 2008 just showed up!!! And here is what it says:

"Mahal Naming Katubig:

Nais po naming ipaalam na ang inyong bayarin sa tubig para sa buwan ng Hulyo ay P1,322.32. Maaari po lamang na bayaran ito bago mag-Hulyo 19, 2008 upang maiwasang maputulan ng serbisyo ng tubig.

Maraming Salamat po! "

WAT DA!!!?!?!?! Anak ng tokwa!! E lumaki pa ah!!!

So I called the call center again. Call center agent told me that his name is "something". Then he told me that someone from the local office (territory manager) is going to call me in a few minutes. No one called. So I called back. I talked to Kim. Kim told me that the person I talked to earliers name is actually is Mel P. Heck he gave me another name earlier. The guys are giving me the run arounds (except for kim, she is not really helpful but quite sympathetic to the cause, I should say.)! And so I talked to an OIC (How come they always say that they do not have a manager around and that they are always on a meeting..), the OIC kept telling me that according to the records there is nothing wrong with the reading as it was an actual reading.

Man!!! Who said that that was not actual reading??? It was an actual reading alright! And actual reading of somebody else's consumption!!! Why should I pay for someone else's thirst quenching!!!???

Now, I am putting my fate again to the utter brilliance of these investigators from Manila Water. And guess what? I think that they will be brilliant enough once again to tell me that something is going to be done for the benefit of their beloved customer.

Please, I want this to be fully investigated. Starting before the time the meters were replaced. And I want my refund to be computed. It has become a headache already. I wish there are other water carriers...

iPhone 3G

Folks! History has been made. Jonny Boy of Auckland is the very first earthling to own the new iPhone 3G at 8AM EST time zone in The Land Down Under The Land Down Under. As soon as I learned that the new iPhone is going to first come out in New Zealand, I immediately ask my brother who lives there if he can grab one for me. I would love to be the first one to get a hold of the newest ultimate gadget to hit the world. especially if I am here in the Philippines.

Now, I am not really a tech gadget fanatic. In fact the cellphone that I currently have is still my good old 2nd hand Nokia 6600 model which I got from my sister. However, so much talk has been focused on the new iPhone model, I started to crave for it. I thought it is either I will have it or I will give it as a gift to my lovely girlfriend of almost seven years as an anniversary gift this July.

The initial reviews however seem to be dampening the hype, and my craving. Somehow, server glitches are causing too much trouble for the new iPhone pioneer users that they could not even use it to make calls. There seems to be an activation problem. De javu! I thought this happened already before.

However, iPhone 3G is still better than the original iPhone. Features like support for third-party software from the iPhone Apps store, improved GPS capabilities, better 3G wireless network capability and Microsoft exchange server e-mail will sure attract more customers. And the price is really affordable that it is really becoming more of a reality to be bought by the mainstream guys.

The latest news in the country is that it may still take sometime for it to be released. According to Globe, it is still later in the year before iPhone lands at NAIA. So for now, I still am waiting for my big brother to get me one. Go Bro!!!

jOb oPening : Senior Call Center Associates : OAM

Open Access Marketing (OAM) is a leading global business process outsourcing (BPO) company that specializes in providing a wide range of front to back-office outsourcing solutions. The company's aim is to bridge the outsourcing gap by becoming an integral and integrated part of top organizations while delivering the cost savings of an outsourced solution. The company services include, but are not limited to:

• Inbound Technical Support
• Appointment Setting
• Lead Generation
• Telemarketing
• Inbound Direct Sales
• Customer Service
• Data Entry, Mining & Cleansing
• Research & Analysis
• eCommerce Management
• Search Engine Optimization and
• Management Virtual Workforce

Senior Call Center Associates

Open Access Marketing is seeking experienced and talented call center associates to work on a U.S.-based call center campaign. The associate will handle inbound and outbound calls from U.S. callers in order to qualify them for the client's services.The applicant must have an excellent command of the English language and a college degree. Previous call center experience is highly desired. Strong work ethic and desire to excel in a dynamic team based environment.


Location: Leviste Street, Makati City
Wage/Salary: Dependent on Experience
Company: Open Access Marketing Philippines Inc
Email: careers@openaccessmarketing.com

jOb oPening : Inbound Customer and Technical Support : OAM

Open Access Marketing (OAM) is a leading global business process outsourcing (BPO) company that specializes in providing a wide range of front to back-office outsourcing solutions. The company's aim is to bridge the outsourcing gap by becoming an integral and integrated part of top organizations while delivering the cost savings of an outsourced solution. The company services include, but are not limited to:

• Inbound Customer and Technical Support
• Appointment Setting
• Lead Generation
• Telemarketing
• Inbound Direct Sales
• Customer Service
• Data Entry, Mining & Cleansing
• Research & Analysis
• eCommerce Management
• Search Engine Optimization and
• Management Virtual Workforce

Open Access Marketing Philippines, Inc is seeking several experienced INBOUND CUSTOMER & TECHNICAL SUPPORT REPRESENTATIVES for a growing client in our Makati, Philippines headquarters.You will be working alongside a strong, American managed team with over 25 years of U.S. telemarketing experience and an experienced, dedicated and energetic domestic team of team leads and managers. You will be entering as Batch 2 for the client which leaves a tremendous amount of opportunity for growth.We are seeking those with 1-2 years of call center experience, preferably in an inbound technical support role with extensive customer service skills. Fluency on all aspects of the computer is required, specifically: Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office (especially Excel), and the internet. English fluency (reading/writing/speaking) is a must. We prefer those with college degrees, but again, if you think you have the skills and talent, we encourage you to apply.Benefits include full Maxicare HMO coverage paid for by the company, bonus opportunities, paid time off, and a pleasant working environment. We guarantee that this will be the most enjoyable work environment you have ever been at. Please email us your resumes and make sure to put "Inbound CSR" in the subject field. We need to hire several people immediately. Please visit www.openaccessmarketing.com for more information about Open Access Marketing Philippines Inc.


City/Town: Leviste Street, Makati City
Wage/Salary: 24,000 - 26,000
Company: Open Access Marketing Philippines Inc
Email: careers@openaccessmarketing.com


Please leave a comment if you are interested and the best way to contact you.