Latest news with #PrimeWater
GMA Network
4 days ago
- Business
- GMA Network
Marcos: Those behind bad water service will be held accountable
'Ginagawa na ng LWUA (Local Water Utilities Administration) ngayon ang mga mabisang hakbang laban sa palpak na serbisyo ng mga water districts at kanilang mga joint venture partners," President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said during his fourth SONA on July 28, 2025. President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. said Monday that water service providers and their joint venture partners liable for the water service interruptions in several parts of the country will be held accountable. Marcos made the firm stance during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), as he lamented that more than six million consumers are currently affected by the water service interruptions. 'Ginagawa na ng LWUA (Local Water Utilities Administration) ngayon ang mga mabisang hakbang laban sa palpak na serbisyo ng mga water districts at kanilang mga joint venture partners. Titiyakin ng LWUA na mailalagay na sa ayos ang serbisyo ng tubig ng milyon-milyon nating mga kababayan at gawing mas abot-kaya naman ang presyo,' the President said. (The LWUA is taking effective measures against the bad service of water districts and their joint venture partners. LWUA will ensure that the water service for millions of Filipinos will be fixed and the price will also be made more affordable.) 'Higit sa lahat, titiyakin nating mapapanagot ang mga nagpabaya at nagkulang sa mahalagang serbisyong-publiko na ito,' he said. (Above all, we will ensure that those who have neglected and lacked in providing this public service will be held accountable.) To recall, Marcos had ordered an investigation into the operations of PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp. due to numerous service-related complaints. According to Malacañang, the Marcos administration does not tolerate insufficiency of services, noting that the needs of the public must always be provided. PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp. is owned by the Villar family. For its part, the water service provider had vowed to be open to any meaningful dialogue that will resolve concerns as it also affirmed it is committed to cooperating with LWUA. LWUA had also submitted its report to the Office of the President as regards its investigation into the operations of water service provider PrimeWater. Earlier this month, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said that joint venture agreements (JVAs) between PrimeWater and other local water districts increased in 2019 when the LWUA was still an attached agency of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). Castro had emphasized that the DPWH during that time was led by then-secretary and incumbent Senator Mark Villar. Villar, in return, denied that he had any participation in joint venture agreements entered into by PrimeWater and other local water districts facilitated through the LWUA. "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. — RF, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Filipino Times
Carla Abellana Questions Transparency of U.S. Flood Aid to the Philippines
Actress Carla Abellana has raised doubts over how foreign aid, particularly the ₱13.8 million humanitarian donation from the United States, is being used for flood victims in the Philippines. In an Instagram Story, she reposted an art card from the Inquirer stating the U.S. government had extended financial assistance following a series of storms. Carla, however, questioned if the aid was truly reaching those in need, writing: 'Who's going to tell them where their donations really go?' She added that even light rain often results in 'instant swimming pools' on the streets, hinting at poor infrastructure and disaster preparedness. This isn't the first time Carla has voiced criticisms online. Previously, she pointed out alleged corruption in the property tax declaration process and also aired frustrations over service issues with companies like PrimeWater and Converge ICT. U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson, meanwhile, reaffirmed their commitment to helping flood-affected communities, assuring that coordination with the Philippine government is ongoing to ensure proper aid delivery. Recent floods in Metro Manila have been blamed on continuous monsoon rains worsened by tropical cyclones Crising, Dante, and Emong. Both the MMDA and DPWH cited improper waste disposal and clogged drainage—reportedly 70% blocked—as major contributors to the flooding.
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
Filipino Times
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Filipino Times
Carla Abellana goes viral as ‘Call-Out Kween,' echoing public sentiment on poor services
Kapuso actress Carla Abellana has gone viral for calling out poor service from major utility providers, with social media users now hailing her as the 'Call-Out Kween' for voicing frustrations shared by many. In a series of Instagram stories, Abellana confronted water service provider PrimeWater after receiving a disconnection notice related to unpaid dues. While acknowledging her intention to settle the balance, the actress questioned the relevance of the threat, saying the company's service had already been unreliable. PrimeWater later responded to the criticism, stating that the billing details had been communicated to Abellana's caretaker during a prior visit to her property. The actress, however, refuted the claim. 'Visit to my property? When? Spoke with the caretaker? What caretaker?' she wrote. A few days later, Abellana directed her concerns toward internet service provider FiberX Converge, calling out the company for unresolved connectivity issues and the absence of responsive customer service. She urged the firm to assign 'an actual human being' to address client concerns. Social media users quickly rallied behind the actress and commended her for speaking out on her platform to highlight issues many consumers face.
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
