Joseph Azil Buena

Senator Risa Hontiveros, on May 5, filed a resolution calling for the Senate Committee on Public Services to conduct a probe into the findings of the Commission on Audit (COA) and the 'irregularities' in joint venture agreements (JVAs) between local water districts and private water supply companies.

Photo Courtesy of Asian Development Bank.

Highlighted in Proposed Senate Resolution No. 1352 was the entry of private entities into JVAs with water districts, naming several companies such as Prime Water Infrastructure Corporation, Manila Water Philippine Ventures, Metro Pacific Water Investment Corp., and their subsidiaries.

According to the resolution, the COA has repeatedly flagged some local water district JVAs for ‘serious concerns’ regarding legal issues, economic viability, service quality, and tariff rates.

Moreover, the resolution raised key findings by the COA regarding the lack of competitive partner selection, vague contracts with no clear investment or performance metrics, and weak oversight of tariffs and transparency.

The resolution pointed to the absence of standard review guidelines, the limited capacity of water districts to negotiate fair terms, and unresolved disputes due to the ‘absence of clear venues for recourse and defined legal norms for resolving conflicts.

Hontiveros, in her resolution, emphasized that such issues have triggered public protests and demands for intervention, citing “detrimental outcomes” such as weakened financial standing for water districts, poor service quality, erratic water supply, and rising water bills for consumers.

Recently, complaints have surfaced in various local water districts, such as the San Jose del Monte (SJDM) City Water District—served by Prime Water Infrastructure Corporation—as well as in cities like Dasmariñas, Bacolod, Batangas, and Davao.

The SJDM Water District has requested the termination of its contract with PrimeWater.

Hontiveros called attention to the lack of transparency in the JVAs, which “contributed to public confusion” and “difficulty in holding relevant parties accountable” for the issues and irregularities.

She stressed the need to review and strengthen the current framework for water district joint ventures, improve transparency, and ensure that these partnerships serve the public interest and uphold the right to adequate, safe, and affordable water.


‘No one is too big to be investigated’

Along with the Senate resolution, Hontiveros also recorded and released a video statement discussing the measure and providing updates on the alleged anomalies involving water providers.

“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,” Hontiveros said.

She reiterated the urgency of ensuring accountability and competent service, as residents continue to suffer from unreliable water supply during the dry season, particularly in severely affected areas.

“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,” the senator said.

“Sa ngayon, 11 water districts daw ang gustong tapusin na agad ang joint venture agreements nila. The problem might be far worse and more encompassing. Pwede nang umaksyon ang Malacañang kahit inaalam pa natin kung paano pigilan ang lalong pag-lala at pag-ulit nitong sitwasyon,” she added.

Hontiveros also cited reports from residents who claim they are still being billed despite receiving little to no water from their taps, saying that it is time to hold water concessionaires and responsible agencies accountable for their failure to provide reliable services.

“Reklamo ng mga kababayan natin, sinisingil pa rin daw sila kahit halos walang tubig ang dumadaloy sa kanilang gripo. Panahon nang singilin naman natin ang mga water concessionaires at iba pang ahensyang dapat nagbibigay ng walang-patid na serbisyo,” she stressed.