By Wilnard Bacelonia
MANILA – A resolution was filed in the Senate on Monday seeking to investigate joint venture agreements (JVAs) between government water districts and private concessionaires, citing findings from the Commission on Audit (COA) that flagged several of the contracts as “disadvantageous.”
“No one is too big to be investigated. Kailangan nang silipin ang mga water concessionaires na ito dahil masyadong maraming kababayan natin ang uhaw na uhaw na sa maayos na serbisyo mula sa kanila, lalo na ngayong tag-init (These water concessionaires need to be looked into because Filipinos are thirsty for good service from them, especially this dry season),” Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros said in a news release, pointing to the surge in consumer complaints, particularly against PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp.
The senator filed Proposed Senate Resolution No. 1352, urging the Senate Committee on Public Services to look into the legality and accountability mechanisms within the JVAs between water districts and private firms, including PrimeWater, Manila Water Philippine Ventures, and Metro Pacific Water Investments Corp.
“Hindi katanggap-tanggap ang papatak-patak na serbisyo. Hindi pwedeng palagpasin ang mga kontratang sinlabo ng tubig na lumalabas sa ilang mga kabahayan na biktima ng kapalpakan ng mga water concessionaires at ng oversight bodies (Drip-by-drop service is unacceptable. We cannot ignore the water-related contracts that are emerging in some households that are victims of the negligence of water concessionaires and oversight bodies),” Hontiveros said.
The senator emphasized that multiple COA reports have already raised red flags about the terms of these agreements, which she described as vague, complex and harmful to the financial viability of local water districts.
She cited the San Jose del Monte Water District’s post-JVA experience as an example of financial decline and deteriorating service.
Hontiveros also noted reports of poor water supply and sharp increases in tariffs in areas serviced by PrimeWater, including Bulacan and Bacolod City in Negros Occidental, which have triggered protests and mounting calls for government intervention.
“Sa ngayon, 11 water districts daw ang gustong tapusin na agad ang joint venture agreements nila (Currently, 11 water districts are said to want to immediately terminate their joint venture agreements). The problem might be far worse and more encompassing,” she said, adding that Malacañang can already act based on the audit findings even as a full review is ongoing.
While Malacañang has signaled its intent to probe PrimeWater’s performance, Hontiveros stressed that Senate action is necessary to determine the full scope of the issue and review the role of oversight bodies such as the Local Water Utilities Administration, the National Water Resources Board, COA and the Public-Private Partnership Center. (PNA)
