Latest news with #LWUA
GMA Network
09-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Marcos agrees with LWUA probe recommendation on PrimeWater — Palace
President Bongbong Marcos at presentation of the 50th Gawad Saka National Awardees and Ugnayan with Farmers on Monday, June 30, 2025 at the Science City of Muñoz in Nueva Ecija. RTVM screenshot President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. concurs with the recommendation of the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) following its investigation into the operations of water service provider PrimeWater. Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said in a briefing Wednesday that Marcos has studied LWUA's report and already has an opinion on the matter. However, Castro did not disclose LWUA's recommendation as it was not yet the right time. "Ang Pangulo po ay naaral na po ang report mula sa LWUA, siya po mismo ang nag-aral nito at ang rekomendasyon po sa kanya ay kanya naman pong inayunan," Castro said. (The President already studied the LWUA report and he agreed with the agency's recommendation.) Marcos had directed an investigation into the operations of PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp. due to numerous service-related complaints. The water service provider had vowed to be open to any meaningful dialogue that would resolve concerns as it also affirmed it is committed to cooperating with LWUA. Last week, LWUA Administrator Jose Moises Salonga was asked if it included in its list of recommendations the termination of PrimeWater joint venture agreements (JVAs). In response, he answered that the agency would prioritize putting water in people's pipes first. Salonga also noted that the LWUA was previously an attached agency of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the possible conflict may be linked to the previous officials of these offices. Castro had said JVAs between PrimeWater and other local water districts increased in 2019, when LWUA was still an attached agency of the DPWH under the leadership of Senator Mark Villar. For his part, Villar on Saturday denied any participation in JVAs entered into by PrimeWater and local water districts through the LWUA during his tenure as DPWH secretary. Castro clarified on Monday that she did not insinuate that Villar had a hand in the PrimeWater deals. PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp. is owned by the Villar family. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
05-07-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
Mark Villar denies hand in PrimeWater-LWUA deals as DPWH chief
Senator Mark Villar speaks at a hearing of the Senate Committee on Banks, Financial Institutions and Currencies hearing on January 16, 2024. Senate PRIB Senator Mark Villar on Saturday denied that he had any participation in joint venture agreements (JVAs) entered into by PrimeWater and other local water districts facilitated through the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), when it was still an attached agency of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) during his term as secretary. "I wish to take this opportunity to clarify that I have no direct or indirect ownership or controlling interest in Primewater," Villar said in a statement. "During my tenure as Secretary of Public Works, I did not participate in any capacity whatsoever in any transactions or potential transactions between Primewater and any of its partner districts. My focus then had been to implement our national goal of creating critical community infrastructure," the senator added. Villar was the chief of the DPWH from 2016 to 2021 during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte. Villar resigned from the post to seek a senatorial seat in Eleksyon 2022. PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp. is owned by the Villar family. The senator issued the statement after Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro reported that JVAs between PrimeWater and other local water districts increased in 2019, noting that the DPWH during that time was led by then-secretary Villar. Castro added that the Office of the President held a meeting Friday with the LWUA and the Office of The Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC) to discuss the current situation of PrimeWater consumers. Saying that his tenure in the DPWH was aligned with the goal of creating critical community infrastructure, Villar said, "I have full faith that my service record in those years would bear witness to that focus and commitment." LWUA Administrator Jose Moises Salonga earlier said the agency already finished its initial investigation into the complaints against PrimeWater JVAs, and that its findings and recommendations were already submitted to the office of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. Salonga had said the LWUA was previously an attached agency of DPWH, and the possible conflict may be linked to the previous officials of these offices. Marcos earlier ordered an investigation into the operations of PrimeWater due to numerous service-related complaints. Meanwhile, a resolution has been filed in the House of Representatives seeking an inquiry into the JVAs entered into by PrimeWater and local water districts. For its part, the water service provider had vowed to be open to any meaningful dialogue that would resolve concerns as it also affirmed it is committed to cooperating with LWUA. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
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
