Aug
23
Doing Coronary-Inducing Math
Filed Under Heartaches
I saw our water bill, and almost had a heart attack. P1,008 for a month’s usage when the faucet works for only eight hours on a good day, and doesn’t work at all on a bad one? I’m not sure where MCWD gets its figures or how it comes up with them; but there had better be a good explanation for that sum because I’m dead sure the household bathed, washed, and flushed mineral water for five days at least.
I haven’t thought of Third World economics in quite a while because I grew up poor; few things poverty-related shock me anymore. But, today, I thought economics again; and I’m appalled. If I balk at how much tap water is costing us (P400 a month, supposedly), how are the families who are worse off than we are making do? They’re either not getting billed for their water – which is impossible considering how eager this government is to tax everything – or they’re not using water, which is also impossible unless they’ve evolved into non-water dependent beings.
I don’t know about you, but we’re finding that it’s becoming more and more expensive to stay alive and thrive. There’s the power bill. We used to pay no more than P2,000. Now, with two ACs running every night thanks to this unbearable humidity, we’re lucky if the bill doesn’t hit P5,000. Then, there’s the cost of groceries. In the old days, P1,200 for meat and vegetables was enough. These days, we’re lucky if we end up paying only P2,500 for meat and vegetables alone! Don’t even get me started on the price of rice, shampoo, milk, diapers, healthcare, and the like!
I can’t remember the last time I thought economics and ranted about it – it must have been that long ago, indeed. But, I’m writing about it now because I’m horrified.
“We have a strong economy in a strong fiscal position to withstand political shocks….. The economy is more fair to the poor than ever before…”
Why do these two statements sound like they’re made by someone who doesn’t do the groceries weekly or worry that the kids are getting the education they need to become professionally competitive (and thus able to pay more taxes)?
Comments
5 Responses to “Doing Coronary-Inducing Math”
Streamline, streamline.
grabe sad sa imong water bill!!
Wait, basin nay ni- tap sa inyong pipeline? Have you checked?
Whoever said those in quotation must be delusional.
@Yam: We will now all sleep in one bedroom to save on the AC. I kid, I kid!
@Fil: Lagi, Fil. Daku ra jud kaayo bisan unsaon nakog balintong ug kwenta. It’s more than double! And, to think wa mi tubig pirmi and pila to ka-adlaw zero tulo jud ang gripo! We’re having the pipes checked, and wett’s going to complain to MCWD tomorrow.
Oh, and the midget in the Palace said that in her SONA.
Third Alternative: You’re paying for their water. We used to have neighbors that tapped our water AND electricity, and we never even realized it!
Also, if the taps aren’t working, make sure you turn ‘em off, anyway. Apparently, it’s the ‘pressure’ that gets ‘em meters a’turning. (Or so my mum always says.)
Grabe sad kamahal sa inyong water bill oi. Ours is P1.2k per quarter, so close to about P300 per month. And we have clean, no interruptions water all the time. Better have your pipes checked.
Anyway, mind if I link you up? I love your posts
So smart and charming 