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A woman washes a feeding bottle at an evacuation center in Bauan, Batangas on January 16, 2020. As of January 15 9:30pm, 838 families coming from different towns affected by the Taal Volcano eruption have fled to Bauan Technical High School which currently serves as the central evacuation center in the area. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

water

Victoria Tulad

ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- Senator Raffy Tulfo blasted PrimeWater for failing to deliver on several responsibilities during the hearing of the Senate Committee on Public Services on Monday.Tulfo, who chairs the committee, confronted PrimeWater for not meeting the capital expenditure (capex) it committed to spending. Capex refers to funds spent to acquire, upgrade, and maintain assets like property, technology, or equipment, which are meant to improve service.“Sa Metro Surigao Water District, P904 million ang planned capex sa unang limang taon, pero pagkatapos ng limang taon P62 million o 6.86 percent lang ang accomplished,” Tulfo said. “Sa Cabanatuan City Water District, P262 million ang na-accomplish out of P716 million o 36.6 percent,” he added. PrimeWater Infrastructure Corporation President Roberto Fabrique, Jr., meanwhile, said that the company was able to deliver P600 million capex for Cabanatuan, not P262 million, as Tulfo said. This was notably still below the promised capex.Fabrique, however, said they did not have the data for the Metro Surigao Water District.Tulfo, meanwhile, also enumerated the complaints received by his office.“Walang sapat na supply, mahina ang pressure, walang abiso kapag may interruption, at ang tubig na lumalabas sa gripo ay kulay kape, minsan ay mabaho pa. Ang ating mga kababayan, imbes na makatulog nang maayos, ay gumigising ng alas-tres ng madaling araw para lang makapag-ipon ng tubig – ang masaklap pa, patuloy silang pinagbabayad ng singil kahit wala namang supply ng tubig,” Tulfo said. He also pointed out that all of PrimeWater&#x27;s 75 joint venture agreements (JVAs) with local water districts did not undergo review by the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev).“PrimeWater affects 16 million consumers in our country. There are 75 local water districts that entered into a Joint Venture Agreement with PrimeWater. Yet, instead of making waves of improvement, these JVAs left their consumers stranded in a drought,” Tulfo remarked.“Walang na-review dahil ayon sa 2013 NEDA [National Economic and Development Authority, now DEPDev] JVA Guidelines tanging mga JVA na may government contribution na P150 million pataas lang ang nire-review at inaaprubahan ng tinatawag na NEDA Investment Coordination Committee,” he added. “Lahat ay idineklarang mababa sa P150 million ang government contribution.”In the case of the Marilao Water District, for example, Tulfo said the declared government contribution is P117 million, but the actual amount is P212 million, based on reports from the Commission on Audit (COA).Local governments also aired their grievances against PrimeWater.According to Sta. Cruz, Laguna Mayor Benjo Agarao, they are ready to suspend the business license and permit of PrimeWater due to persistent, unresolved problems.San Fernando City, Pampanga Mayor Vilma Caluag said their local water district has decided to issue a pre-termination letter to PrimeWater.Marilao, Bulacan Mayor Jemina Sy mentioned that classes were shortened and businessmen went broke because of the problematic water supply.  Senate Deputy Majority Leader Risa Hontiveros relayed other concerns.“Sa ilang parte ng Cavite, ‘holy water’ na ang tawag ng mga tao sa tubig sa gripo – hindi dahil banal ang tubig, kundi milagro na lang kapag may lumabas na tubig. Kapag nagreklamo, pinagpapasa-pasahan lang daw sila sa iba’t ibang opisina,” Hontiveros said.“Dapat may ahensya ring malalapitan at masusumbungan ang mga konsyumer at hindi yung pinagpapasa-pasahan pa sila kapag gusto nilang magreklamo sa serbisyo,” she continued.Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC) Assistant Government Corporate Counsel Tricia Velasco-Catera said there are 23 water districts that sent notices of pre-termination, but some are hesitant because they do not have the money to pursue arbitration. Asked why local water districts agreed to enter into a JVA with PrimeWater when they were performing and earning well enough before, Velasco-Catera said she heard the water districts were looking for ways to expand, and that the proposal was enticing. The Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) said it does not have the power to review JVAs as they are only authorized to settle rate settings.Tulfo, meanwhile, ordered the issuance of a subpoena duces tecum for PrimeWater to submit all pertinent documents in relation to their joint venture agreements with concerned water districts, including financial statements.The Department of Environment and Natural Resources said the public can send their complaints to their hotline 09498848927 or via their email wrmo@denr.gov.ph .<div> </div><div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/txMwQx7_C1o?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> </div>

PrimeWater is not spending enough to improve water service, Sen. Raffy Tulfo said as he criticized the Villar-owned utility.

PrimeWater is not spending enough to improve water service, Sen. Raffy Tulfo said as he criticized the Villar-owned utility.

PrimeWater failing capex obligations even as service sinks: senator

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PrimeWater failing capex obligations even as service sinks: senator

Victoria Tulad,

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 29, 2025 04:31 PM PHT

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Updated Sep 29, 2025 08:16 PM PHT

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primewater

water supply

raffy tulfo

risa hontiveros

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