Civil society organizations and consumer rights advocates renewed calls for the protection of the public’s right to clean and accessible water, criticizing the services of PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp., owned by the Villar family, during a forum held on July 14 at the University of the Philippines Diliman.
The event was organized by the Pinoy Media Center, Water for the People Network, and Samahan at Ugnayan ng mga Konsyumer para sa Ikauunlad ng Bayan. Participants highlighted what they described as a deteriorating water supply situation in communities under joint venture agreements (JVAs) with the private water service provider.
Water for the People Network national spokesperson Leo Espelimbergo attributed the country’s water crisis to the privatization of water utilities. He said the situation worsened in several areas after entering into JVAs.
“The water crisis in the country continues,” Espelimbergo said. “The privatization of water supply has worsened the situation. In areas that signed joint venture agreements, the supply became even more limited.”
Environmental advocate and “nature storyteller” Celine Murillo, known for her social media campaigns on environmental justice, expressed support for the campaign to uphold water as a public right.
“Life systems, biodiversity—they’re not just about trees, plants, and animals. We humans are part of this too,” Murillo said. “Clean and adequate water is a basic need. This is a basic human right. It is the right of people and all living beings who live alongside us.”
Complaints have been reported in several localities—including San Jose Del Monte, Bacolod, Zambales, Pampanga, La Union, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon, Camarines Norte, Albay, and Cebu—where PrimeWater has JVAs with local water districts.
Government data shows that the number of such joint ventures increased in 2019, when the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) was still attached to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), then headed by Senator Mark Villar.
The Palace said these JVAs were part of a broader trend during the previous administration and have since been subject to scrutiny.
LWUA Administrator Jose Moises Salonga confirmed that the agency had completed its initial investigation into service complaints against PrimeWater and submitted its findings to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The report included a historical review of how the JVAs were formed and highlighted possible issues involving former officials and board appointments.
Salonga said the agency’s immediate priority is restoring adequate water supply to affected communities, stating, “We are here to act first, finger point later.”
President Marcos earlier ordered a probe into PrimeWater’s operations amid mounting consumer complaints. While the company said it is open to dialogue, many groups continue to press for the termination of JVAs and a return to publicly managed water services.
