The Quezon provincial council issued resolution no. 24-03 on April 30 to formally end its agreement with PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp. (PWIC). This is the result of several years of extensive water shortages, intermittent supply, and numerous complaints from concessionaires and local government agencies.

The Quezon Metropolitan Water District (QMWD) demanded the termination of its agreement with PrimeWater after its investigation proved that the company violated the provisions set in the joint venture agreement signed on June 8, 2018. The QMWD resolution stated that PrimeWater did not fulfill its obligation according to the agreement and failed to address the worsening problem in the water supply.

Its poor service also prompted Bulacan governor Daniel Fernando to announce plans to withdraw from the joint venture agreement with PrimeWater. His office has received numerous complaints regarding the lack of water supply in the towns of Calumpit, Malolos City, Marilao, and San Jose Del Monte City.

The San Jose Del Monte Water District (SJDMWD) also issued a resolution on April 3 to end its joint venture agreement with PrimeWater. Residents have been complaining for several months about unreliable, insufficient, and intermittent water supply in the city, compelling the local agency to distribute free water to the barangays.

Democratic organizations and various local groups in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan, held a press conference and noise barrage on April 25 to condemn the poor service of PrimeWater in their city.

Bulacan vice governor Alex Castro said the government, especially the senate, should investigate the “untouchable” PrimeWater, which virtually took the local government hostage. “What is the accountability of PrimeWater to us? We are seemingly being held hostage here, our repeated complaints are not being heard. This is not just a problem of Bulacan, but I think a national issue, the government should intervene.”

Meanwhile, Gabriela Women’s Party representative Arlene Brosas called for the urgent passage of House Bill 10150 or the Anti-Privatization of Public Water Systems Act. She said, “When privatization stops water flowing from the tap, women are the ones who walk several kilometers carrying buckets, women are the ones who budget water so the limited supply will be enough, women are the ones who sacrifice effort and health. We will not wait for other communities to run out of water before we act.”