Marilyn Cahatol

Residents of Barangay 165 in Pasay City stock up on delivered water from a mobile tanker on March 5, 2023. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

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ABS-CBN News

Mark Demayo

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/174642232678920230305-water-interruption-pasay-md-5.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Residents of Barangay 165 in Pasay City stock up on delivered water from a mobile tanker on March 5, 2023. <em>Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Local Water Utilities Administration said on Monday, May 5, that it is already investigating the allegedly poor water services of the Villar-owned PrimeWater Infrastructure Corporation.</p><p>“Nagpatawag na kami ng mga water district, hinihingi namin &#x27;yung mga kontrata nila dun sa private joint venture partners nila kasi for the longest time, hindi naman naibigay sa LWUA. Ito ang pagsisimulan ng aming imbestigasyon saka pag-aaral kung paano lulutasin itong problemang ito,” LWUA administrator Jose Salonga said during an interview with Teleradyo Serbisyo.</p><p>More than 100 water districts in the country are in joint venture partnership agreements, 74 of which are with PrimeWater.</p><p>The administrator projected to receive copies of all 74 JV agreements by Tuesday next week.</p><p>Salonga noted that the administration does not have the power to rescind the JV agreements, but the investigation will determine how water districts can terminate its agreements with PrimeWater.</p><p>“That’s why I want to see the contract. Baka mamaya kasi sa kontrata na iyan, may arbitration clause. &#x27;Ano yung instances of default? Ano yung p-in-romise? Kailan?’” he said.</p><p>PrimeWater&#x27;s operations are mostly in Batangas, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Cabanatuan, Tarlac, Camarines Norte, Subic, among others.</p><p>The investigation comes after a series of complaints surfaced alleging the water firm of poor water services.</p><p>The water districts of the San Jose del Monte City in Bulacan; and San Fernando City in Pampanga have already called to pre-terminate its JV partnerships with PrimeWater.</p><p>As the investigation proceeds, LWUA is also looking for ways to provide assistance on consumers struggling with poor water supply and quality, as it will entail technical and legal issues, Salonga said.</p><p>“Gagawa kami ng paraan para maresolbahan &#x27;yung tubig issue nila doon. Kasi water district pa rin namin iyan,” he added.</p><div><strong>&#x27;PROBE NOT POLITICAL&#x27;</strong></div><p>Salonga also refuted Vice President Sara Duterte’s claim that the probe on PrimeWater was political, saying that complaints on the water firm has been coming on LWUA office for years.</p><p>“Matagal na ho kasi may mga reklamo, hindi naman talaga bago itong balita na ito,” he said.</p><p>“In this situation, talagang overwhelming, parang nagkasabay-sabay. I don’t know whether [because] it’s summer o ano, ang dami. So when the president called to investigate, e sinisimulan namin the right way na sana walang balakid sa aming imbestigasyon,” he added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/4/30/marcos-orders-probe-on-villar-owned-primewater-over-complaints-of-poor-service-1956">Marcos orders probe on Villar-owned PrimeWater over complaints of poor service</a></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nX9TMS5PDoo?si=lsOss46B24ExP4AD" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>The Local Water Utilities Administration said on Monday, May 5, that it is already investigating the allegedly poor water services of the Villar-owned PrimeWater Infrastructure Corporation.</p>

The Local Water Utilities Administration said on Monday, May 5, that it is already investigating the allegedly poor water services of the Villar-owned PrimeWater Infrastructure Corporation.

LWUA investigates PrimeWater over complaints of poor service

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LWUA investigates PrimeWater over complaints of poor service

Marilyn Cahatol,

ABS-CBN News,

Mark Demayo

Published May 05, 2025 02:30 PM PHT

|

Updated May 08, 2025 02:23 PM PHT

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PrimeWater

Villar

LWUA

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