Camille Naredo

A resident uses water from a faucet for laundry in Manila on January 11, 2024.

A resident uses water from a faucet for laundry in Manila on January 11, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

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Water Utility

Francis Orcio

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp.’s joint venture agreements (JVAs) with local water districts came under fire at Tuesday’s House budget deliberations, as lawmakers flagged mounting complaints of dirty water, unreliable supply, and expensive rates in areas under its concession. ACT Teachers party-list Representative Antonio Tinio grilled the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) sponsor, Palawan 2nd District Representative Jose Alvarez, on the findings of the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) regarding PrimeWater’s performance. “All over the country where PrimeWater holds joint venture agreements or concessions to supply water ay marami pong mga angal mula sa walang tubig o kung hindi 24 hours may supply ng tubig o ‘di kaya kung may tubig man, madumi ang tubig tapos mahal pa ang singil,” Tinio said. Alvarez admitted LWUA’s report confirms the problems, saying PrimeWater’s entry has not delivered on its promise of better service.“Iyong PrimeWater Water has several water districts. Totoo po iyong observation that instead of having a joint venture to improve the services and the quality of water delivered, mas lalong lumalabo, Mr. Speaker,” Alvarez told the plenary. Alvarez noted that the public’s frustrations with PrimeWater are compounded by chronic weaknesses in many local water districts themselves.He explained that the “endemic problem” lies in the reliance on deep wells rather than sustainable surface water sources with treatment facilities. Without these systems in place, even joint ventures fail to improve supply quality, leaving consumers with unsafe or unreliable water.“Groundwater is never sustainable. And without treatment, we are not sure about the water quality that we draw from groundwater. Because if one groundwater is contaminated, then the whole system&#x27;s flow of a water district is thereby contaminated,” Alvarez said. Tinio pressed whether such deficiencies were enough grounds to end the deals.“Mula sa malinaw na grounds na bulok na serbisyo at kawalan ng accountability ng PrimeWater, hindi pa po ba ito sapat na dahilan para i-terminate na kagyat ang joint venture agreements sa pagitan ng Primewater at local water district sa bansa?” Tinio asked. Alvarez responded that while there are “several reasons” for termination, LWUA does not have the power to revoke contracts.“LWUA do not have that power. They have to go to court,” he said.He noted, however, that LWUA can take limited steps, such as temporarily removing and replacing concession managers to improve service. At least 72 of more than 500 water districts nationwide have JVAs with PrimeWater, Alvarez confirmed. While he acknowledged not all are performing poorly, he said the majority face systemic issues such as leaking pipes, unsustainable sources, and lack of treatment facilities that worsen supply quality. Tinio also raised broader concerns about the privatization of basic services, stressing the public’s right to clean water.“Hindi po ba panahon na para i-review at i-revisit ang patakaran ng privatization partikular sa pagtiyak na may access sa tubig ang bawat Pilipino,” he said.Alvarez agreed on the need to protect access to clean water as a “basic human right” but pointed out that most water districts remain financially weak and underperforming, making reform more complicated.

PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp.’s joint venture agreements (JVAs) with local water districts came under fire at Tuesday’s House budget deliberations, as lawmakers flagged mounting complaints of dirty water, unreliable supply, and expensive rates in areas under its concession.

PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp.’s joint venture agreements (JVAs) with local water districts came under fire at Tuesday’s House budget deliberations, as lawmakers flagged mounting complaints of dirty water, unreliable supply, and expensive rates in areas under its concession.

PrimeWater under fire anew in House budget hearing over continued poor services

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PrimeWater under fire anew in House budget hearing over continued poor services

Francis Orcio,

ABS-CBN News

Published Oct 01, 2025 02:39 AM PHT

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PrimeWater

House of Representatives

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water concessionaires

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