By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency
PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp.’s potential liabilities will be assessed based on the findings and documentation gathered by the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), Malacañang said Wednesday, amid continued scrutiny of the troubled water utility firm.
Palace Press Officer Clarie Castro said any lapses or shortcomings of PrimeWater’s management must be accounted for, depending on LWUA’s reports and evidence.
“Ang mga lapses or liabilities ng PrimeWater as the management, kung ano po ang kanilang maaring mga kakulangan o naging liabilities ay dapat pong mapanagot. Depende po ito sa pagiging reports or mga dokumentong maiipon para mapakita kung mayroon mang liability ang PrimeWater,” Castro said.
Castro said LWUA would issue a memorandum circular this month to protect consumers by ensuring that water concessionaires are not disconnected and customers are not billed when service is not provided.
“Ang mga consumers po ay hindi dapat singilin kung wala naman po talagang serbisyong naibibigay ang PrimeWater. So, hintayin po natin ang memorandum circular na ilalabas po nga LWUA patungkol po dito,” she said.
According to reports, PrimeWater will be taken over by a new owner led by Lucio Co’s Crystal Bridges Holdings Corp. after the Villar-led company agreed to terms to sell its entire portfolio, subject to completion of the transaction, amid regulatory pressure and service complaints.
PrimeWater, a major water utility operating in partnership with over 100 local water districts, has faced public backlash and formal scrutiny over poor service delivery, including inconsistent water supply and interrupted services across various local water districts, prompting calls for congressional and LWUA investigations earlier this year.
Several local government units have sought to terminate joint venture agreements with PrimeWater due to chronic service issues, while LWUA has been evaluating remediation and enforcement options, including possible contract termination as a last resort.
