By CESAR JOLITO III
A consumer advocacy group has called on Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya and the city council to investigate reports that PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp. has been sold to a new entity, raising concerns over transparency and the protection of public interest.
Water Watch Advocates convenor Wennie Sancho said the group received information indicating that PrimeWater had been sold, but the authorization of the transaction remain unclear.
“If this is true, we are questioning who authorized the sale,” Sancho said, stressing that Bacolod City Water District [Baciwa] is a government-owned or -controlled corporation and should not be subject to any transfer or sale without proper approval and public disclosure.
Sancho also questioned whether PrimeWater had the authority to sell or transfer control of a public water utility, noting that consumers were not informed of any such transaction.
“This was done without transparency. As consumers, we have the constitutional right to be informed on matters of public concern, especially when it involves a vital service like water,” he added.
Water Watch Advocates urged the mayor and members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod to look into the matter and ensure that the interests of Bacolod residents are safeguarded.
“The people of Bacolod deserve clear answers. We will continue to monitor this issue and fight for the public’s right to clean, potable and affordable water,” Sancho said.
In 2020, Baciwa entered into a 25-year joint venture agreement with PrimeWater for the operation and management of the city’s water system.
Earlier, Bacolod Lone District Representative Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said in a radio interview that PrimeWater-Bacolod already has a new owner, further fueling calls for clarification from concerned groups.
New owner reveal
Billionaire property tycoon Manuel Villar, Jr. agreed to sell 100 percent of PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp. to Crystal Bridges Holding Corp., the infrastructure arm of retail magnate Lucio Co.
The Villar Group confirmed yesterday that it has entered into definitive agreements with Crystal Bridges covering the full acquisition of PrimeWater.
In a statement, the company said that once the transaction is completed, Crystal Bridges will take over all of PrimeWater’s operations nationwide, effectively transferring control of one of the country’s largest private water service providers to the Co group.
The acquisition further strengthens Lucio Co’s presence in the regulated utilities sector.
The sale comes amid heightened government scrutiny of private water concessionaires and signals a consolidation of utility assets under Crystal Bridges, which has been expanding its infrastructure investments in recent years.
The transaction involves PrimeWater’s entire portfolio of water and wastewater operations across the Philippines, although the financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Earlier, Bacolod Bulk Water Inc. (BBWI), the largest bulk water supplier of PrimeWater in the city, demanded the settlement of PrimeWater’s outstanding obligations.
PrimeWater reportedly settled its bulk water supply obligations the following day, December 13.
BBWI also assured the public that there will be no interruption in bulk water supply and that normal operations will continue to support uninterrupted water service in Bacolod./CJ, WDJ