Latest news with #HouseResolution22
GMA Network
03-07-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
House probe on PrimeWater services sought
Zambales Rep. Jefferson Khonghun filed House Resolution 22 to investigate these joint venture agreements between PrimeWater and local water districts. (File photo) A congressional inquiry on the joint venture agreements (JVAs) between PrimeWater Infrastructure Corporation and local water districts has been sought in the House of Representatives. Zambales Rep. Jefferson Khonghun made the call under his House Resolution 22, saying there is a need to investigate these agreements and their impact on the provision of water services to their customers. PrimeWater, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Prime Asset Ventures Inc. owned by Paolo Villar, brother of Senators Mark and Camille Villar, has entered into numerous JVAs with local water districts across the Philippines. This includes the water districts in Subic, Zambales, which is part of Khonghun's constituency, as well as in Bulacan, Cavite, Camarines Norte, Pampanga, among others. 'Numerous reports and public testimonies have highlighted persistent inefficiencies in water supply and service delivery under PrimeWater's management, including prolonged service interruptions, low water pressure, delayed leak repairs, and failure to fulfill infrastructure development commitments,' the resolution read. 'Such operational deficiencies and corporate practices raise serious concerns about the suitability of public-private partnerships in the water sector, particularly when public welfare is subordinated to private gain, thereby eroding public trust and weakening institutional safeguards,' it added. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has already ordered the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) to investigate PrimeWater. LWUA submitted its report to the President this week. Still, Khonghun said that pending the President's feedback, residents of Subic, Zambales have repeatedly expressed frustration over PrimeWater's unreliable service, including multiple emergency disruptions in April 2025 alone, with some outages lasting nearly an entire day and affecting several barangays. He then cited that the Sangguniang Bayan of Subic, Zambales already adopted Resolution No. 29, Series of 2025 urging the Subic Water District (SWD) to terminate its JVA with PrimeWater due to chronic service failures and widespread public dissatisfaction. This move, the lawmaker said, reflects the growing discontent among local governments with privatized utility services and underscores the broader need for stronger governance, accountability, and oversight in public-private partnerships. Last June 11, the Palace also said that PrimeWater made a commitment to repair the pump stations in Bulacan to ensure enough water supply to schools. In a statement, PrimeWater had also said it is facilitating the rehabilitation of the Barihan pumping station, which had a 'sudden decrease' in production from 12 liters per second to six liters per second since June 9.—LDF, GMA Integrated News
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bernie Sanders, AOC rally in Folsom leaves attendees feeling ‘emboldened and empowered'
'See highlights from Bernie Sanders, AOC's speech to thousands in Sacramento area,' ( April 15) Enthused, emboldened and empowered is what I felt listening to the speeches given in Folsom on Tuesday night by Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. One of the greatest takeaways of the evening was not just the urgent and vitally important messages that they both conveyed, but that I was surrounded by approximately 26,000 of my neighbors from every gender, age, race, religion, physical ability and economic status. We yelled, clapped and booed together because of our shared beliefs in a country that upholds the Constitution, our existing laws and the betterment of every single person, not just the 1%. We came for an 'in-person' experience that our representative, Congressman Kevin Kiley, is unwilling to provide to his constituents. Wendi Ross Roseville Opinion ''Sacramento' movie celebrates city's charm. How director, star says it came to be,' ( April 11) This article states that the new movie 'Sacramento' has 'elements … a local would have to look past,' such as 'driving over the Tower Bridge … into town.' As Sacramentans of, ahem, a certain age will remember, that was, indeed, the entry to Sacramento. And the only way for people from the west to get to Tahoe. Highway 40 took that route, winding to 16th Street then to Highway 40 for points east. On hot summer days, the unwelcome slow-down did not endear Bay Area folks to our fine town. In 1955, my introduction to my new hometown was being driven by my mom across that bridge as we were moving here from the Bay Area. I remember it being quite a glorious entry! Roger Niello Fair Oaks 'El Salvador President Nayib Bukele to visit White House Monday,' ( April 8) Our congressional representative, Doris Matsui, refuses to hold in-person town halls to answer questions from her constituents about our Constitutional crisis. President Donald Trump and his cabinet are lawless, unaccountable to our justice system.. They admit that they deported Kilmar Abrego Garcia to a Salvadoran mega-prison known for human rights abuses on accident, and refuse to bring him home. In a conversation with Matsui's office this week, I was told she will not hold town halls because they 'aren't going well' elsewhere. Representative Matsui, this country is not going well. Sacramentans deserve active representation and answers about what Matsui is doing to uphold her oath to the Constitution. Dustin Heron Sacramento 'If you changed your last name after getting married, your right to vote is at risk | Opinion,' ( March 13) Congressman Kevin Kiley supports House Resolution 22, which may come up for a vote in the House soon. H.R. 22 is an onerous solution to a problem that doesn't exist. It's already illegal for noncitizens to vote, and there's no evidence that noncitizen voting is affecting election outcomes anywhere in the U.S. Any form of voter fraud is extremely rare. Even statistics from the conservative Heritage Foundation prove this is the case. Therefore, it makes no sense to force citizens to take the extra step of providing evidence of citizenship in order to vote. The intent of H.R. 22 is voter suppression, which is un-American and should be opposed. Shelley Corrington Roseville 'CA must hold Chevron financially accountable for oil spills,' ( April 17, 2024) My parents expected a rate increase with home insurance renewal, but a staggering 67% hike, pushing the premium over $4,000, was beyond anything they imagined. And we still count ourselves lucky, as many Californians are losing coverage entirely as insurers retreat from areas devastated by climate change-driven disasters. Wildfires, now more frequent and intense, are driving up insurance costs, endangering public health and undoing years of progress in reducing emissions. Yet, while taxpayers and vulnerable communities bear the brunt of these crises, fossil fuel companies — the primary contributors to climate change — continue to post record profits. It's time to hold Big Oil accountable. The Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act would require the largest fossil fuel companies to contribute their fair share to repairing the damage they've caused. Iris Wang Saratoga
