PrimeWater committed to transparency with Malacañang

Photo courtesy of PrimeWater Bacolod

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang said it would announce on Friday the findings of the investigation conducted by the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) on the complaints hounding the Villar-owned water service provider PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp.

According to Palace press officer and Undersecretary Claire Castro, President Marcos is currently reviewing the comprehensive report submitted by LWUA.

In a press briefing on Wednesday, Castro said the LWUA had submitted to the Office of the President (OP) its report that included voluminous documents “that can fill up two balikbayan boxes.”

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“The public, especially the consumers of PrimeWater, can be assured that the government is not turning a blind eye to this problem. We are studying it carefully. The outcome of this investigation is for you,” she added.

Castro said the OP was preparing the next legal steps that can be taken in response to the findings, without elaborating.

“Definitely, we will take legal action. Action that is in accordance with the law, no one will be unfairly treated, but it must serve the people,” she added.

Fully cooperating

In a statement on Wednesday, PrimeWater said it was fully cooperating with all the regulatory bodies, including the LWUA.

“As part of our commitment to transparency and accountability, we continue to engage with stakeholders and uphold our obligations under the joint venture framework,” it said.

“We also remain open to any guidance or recommendations that may arise from this process, as we strive to strengthen our operations and respond to the needs of the communities we serve,” the company added.

On April 30, President Marcos ordered the LWUA, which supervises more than 500 water districts across the country, to investigate the mounting consumer complaints against PrimeWater.

Preelection buzz

The order was given during the final stretch of the campaign period for the May 12 midterm elections.

The timing of the order became fodder for political buzz since it came days after then senatorial candidate Camille Villar was endorsed by Vice President Sara Duterte despite being originally part of the Marcos-backed Alyansa ticket.

Then outgoing Las Piñas Representative Villar, whose family owns PrimeWater, went on to win a seat in the Senate.

PrimeWater customers have complained of prolonged service interruptions and dirty water coming out of their taps, on top of the higher rates they were being charged compared to the rates of other suppliers. /cb