Soaked Pledges and Wet Lies
In various parts of the Philippines, residents are grappling with daily water interruptions and poor water quality, raising concerns about the nation's water infrastructure.
Residents of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, endure up to 12 hours of water interruptions, while those in Bacolod pay up to ₱1,200 monthly for water that is often undrinkable. These issues persist despite the President's approval of the Local Water Utilities Administration's (LWUA) recommendations, which the government has yet to disclose.
Recent news indicates that PrimeWater Infrastructure Corporation, a company involved in numerous joint ventures with local water districts, has been under scrutiny. In 2019, when the LWUA was an attached agency of the Department of Public Works and Highways, led by Mark Villar, PrimeWater entered into several joint ventures. However, there is no official announcement of a national emergency declaration related to PrimeWater's services.
The LWUA has launched a nationwide audit of PrimeWater's operations, revealing that over 60% of the districts managed by PrimeWater failed to meet basic service benchmarks. The City Water District (CSFWD) in San Fernando, Pampanga, has even issued a formal notice to pre-terminate the Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) with PrimeWater due to contractual obligations failure.
Despite mounting complaints and the CSFWD's damning statement, PrimeWater has yet to issue a formal response. Meanwhile, the Filipino people are demanding justice and the immediate termination of all JVAs with PrimeWater, citing the company's substandard service that has affected over 16 million Filipinos.
The government's response to the water crisis has been deemed tepid by some, with some districts reporting surcharges for services not rendered and yellowish, foul-smelling water in Cavite, Quezon, and Bukidnon. Water, being a necessity and a constitutional right in the country, necessitates immediate attention and action.
Water governance must be restructured to prioritize transparency, equity, and sustainability. For updates on water service issues or emergencies, contacting local authorities or water utility companies directly might be the most effective way to obtain current information.
It's worth noting that the unified 911 national emergency hotline, set to launch by August or September, will include a help desk for mental health concerns but does not specifically address water service emergencies. As such, staying informed through official government sources or news outlets remains crucial.
In the face of these challenges, the Filipino people continue to demand accountability and action from the government and PrimeWater Infrastructure Corporation. The call for justice echoes across the nation, underscoring the urgency for a robust and equitable water infrastructure in the Philippines.
- The City Water District in Bacolod, just like the one in San Fernando, Pampanga, is demanding justice and the immediate termination of all Joint Venture Agreements with PrimeWater Infrastructure Corporation, due to their substandard service affecting millions of Filipinos.
- While the government has launched a nationwide audit of PrimeWater's operations, the government response to the water crisis has been criticized as tepid, with surcharges for services not rendered and poor water quality observed in various regions like Cavite, Quezon, and Bukidnon.
- As the unified 911 national emergency hotline, set to launch by August or September, includes a help desk for mental health concerns but not specifically for water service emergencies, it is important for citizens to stay informed through official government sources or news outlets.
- In the face of these challenges, Filipino culture emphasizes the importance of governance that prioritizes transparency, equity, and sustainability in water infrastructure, ensuring the health and wellness of all citizens.
