MANILA, Philippines – PrimeWater, the embattled water firm owned by the powerful Villar family, released a statement on Friday, May 2, to say that they welcomed any opportunity for an “open and meaningful dialogue” to resolve concerns amid mounting complaints about their dismal service all over the country.
They also committed to fully cooperate with the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA).
“We assure our public that we are intensifying our initiatives to address the requirements and satisfy the demand particularly in challenged service areas,” PrimeWater said.
The private firm said that it was fully committed to fulfilling obligations with partners, and delivering the “long-term improvements necessary for stable, reliable, and sustainable water in our service areas.”
While PrimeWater San Jose del Monte earlier announced that it completed its Bulacan Bulk Interconnection Point 2, the Friday statement addressed all of its service areas.
The statement also comes days after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered an investigation into PrimeWater amid mounting complaints of poor service.
Bulacan residents have said water service not only worsened but even got more expensive since the Villars entered a joint venture with the San Jose Del Monte local water district in 2018. This, despite Villar patriarch Manny Villar being the Philippines’ richest man.
But the Marcos-backed Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas still stood by its inclusion of Las Piñas Representative Camille Villar in their lineup even after the PrimeWater controversy came to light, and the probe ordered by the main campaigner.
PrimeWater has joint ventures with nearly 100 water districts, based on Rappler’s tally, but civil society organizations say the deals may be over 130. – Rappler.com