Senator Risa Hontiveros has called for a Senate investigation into joint venture agreements between local water districts and private companies, following mounting complaints against PrimeWater during the dry season. Some of these deals were flagged by the Commission on Audit (COA) as “disadvantageous.”
“No one is too big to be investigated. Kailangan nang silipin ang mga water concessionaires na ito dahil masyadong maraming kababayan natin ang uhaw na uhaw na sa maayos na serbisyo mula sa kanila lalo na ngayong tag-init,” said Hontiveros.
She criticized the poor service from concessionaires. “Hindi katanggap-tanggap ang papatak-patak na serbisyo. Hindi pwedeng palagpasin ang mga kontratang sinlabo ng tubig na lumalabas sa ilang mga kabahayan na biktima ng kapalpakan ng mga water concessionaires at ng oversight bodies,” according to her.
Malacañang recently said it would investigate PrimeWater, but Hontiveros argued that existing COA findings already justify immediate Senate action.
“Sa ngayon, 11 water districts daw ang gustong tapusin na agad ang joint venture agreements nila. The problem might be far worse and more encompassing. Pwede nang umaksyon ang Malacañang kahit inaalam pa natin kung paano pigilan ang lalong pag-lala at pag-ulit nitong sitwasyon,” the senator from Capiz said.
In proposed Senate Resolution No. 1352, Hontiveros asked the Senate Committee on Public Services to examine agreements with companies such as PrimeWater, Manila Water Philippine Ventures, and Metro Pacific Water Investments Corp. She cited COA findings on unclear terms and lack of transparency in these contracts.
“These identified problems have reportedly led to detrimental outcomes for water districts, including diminished financial standing — as seen in the San Jose Del Monte Water District post-JVA — and for the consuming public, who have experienced poor service quality, inadequate water supply, and significant increases in water tariffs — as reported in areas served by PrimeWater in various provinces like Bulacan and cities like Bacolod — sparking public protests and calls for intervention,” her resolution stated.
She also warned that vague accountability mechanisms make it hard for the public to hold concessionaires and regulatory bodies responsible.
“Reklamo ng mga kababayan natin, sinisingil pa rin daw sila kahit halos walang tubig ang dumadaloy sa kanilang gripo. Panahon nang singilin naman natin ang mga water concessionaires at iba pang ahensyang dapat nagbibigay ng walang-patid na serbisyo,” said Hontiveros.IMT
