Adi Joaquim Tolentino

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered an investigation into Villar-owned PrimeWater Infrastructure Corporation following mounting complaints of poor water service and high rates.


Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro announced in a press briefing on April 30, citing repeated service disruptions and allegations of overcharging in several areas, particularly in Bulacan.

“Unang-una po, sinabi po natin na ang kakulangan sa serbisyo ay walang puwang sa administrasyon ni Pangulong [Ferdinand] Marcos Jr.; mag-uutos po ang Pangulo para ma-imbestigahan po ito,” Castro told reporters.

The statement came after local officials from Bulacan called on the House of Representatives to investigate the water company’s performance, following complaints from residents in Calumpit, Malolos City, Marilao, and San Jose del Monte City.

Castro emphasized that the delivery of basic utilities should not be compromised for profit.
“Ang pangangailangan po ng tao sa malinis na tubig, sapat na supply ng tubig ay dapat lang pong nararapat na hindi pang-negosyo lamang, kundi ito ay dapat kinakalinga ang pangangailang ng taumbayan,” she said.

PrimeWater, a subsidiary of Prime Asset Ventures Inc. (PAVI), manages water services for over 500,000 households in more than 100 districts across the country.

Asked whether the controversy could affect the Palace’s trust in administration-backed senatorial aspirant Camille Villar, daughter of PrimeWater owners and current Las Piñas Representative, Castro said performance would be the ultimate basis.

“Well, it depends on how she will perform. If we will have this trust on her, well, we have to give it to her, but she should prove that she could perform as a leader,” she said.

Castro said the government is prepared to take swift action if PrimeWater fails to address the mounting concerns of its consumers.

“With this issue regarding PrimeWater, if there’s a need for them to resolve the issues raised by the consumers, I think we should… take immediate action on that,” she added.

Camille Villar is running for a Senate seat under the administration coalition Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas, aiming to replace her mother, incumbent Senator Cynthia Villar.

PrimeWater and its parent company have yet to issue an official statement.

According to Mavic Chavez Ching, head of public relations at Prime Asset Ventures, Inc., “the company has yet to issue an official statement” when asked for comment via Viber.