Consumer welfare groups here continue to call for better water service amid confirmation from Bacolod City officials that PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp. has been bought out by another company.
Lone District Representative Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and Councilor Roberto Rojas confirmed in separate media interviews on Monday, December 15, that the Villar-owned water firm, which has an existing joint venture agreement with Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa), has already been sold, but did not name the new owner.
In an interview yesterday, Mayor Greg Gasataya said his top concern is better delivery and supply of water to Bacolodnons.
“For me, what’s the most important now is how to improve the services of PrimeWater. The contract is between Baciwa and PrimeWater. It’s up to the company to decide whether to infuse capital. The concern of the city government is the services that it will deliver,” he said.
“Once the sale is finalized, we will have to sit down with the water district and the reported new owner,” he added.
In the past months, PrimeWater Bacolod City has faced numerous complaints on its poor service, particularly the “dark, smelly, and contaminated water” and frequent service disruptions and questionable financial status.
Benitez announced the supposed sale after it settled its three-month outstanding obligations with Bacolod Bulk Water Inc. (BBWI) on December 13, days after the water supplier issued a notice of disconnection.
In a statement yesterday, Water Watch Advocates convenor Wennie Sancho said he wants to seek clarification on the sale of PrimeWater from the city council through Rojas, chairperson of the committee on energy and public utilities.
He said he will request a public hearing since the issue involves public health and welfare, and will ask for the disclosure of the new owner’s identify and clarification on the status of the JVA between Baciwa and PrimeWater.
“We want an explanation on the decision-making process involving the transfer of ownership and an assurance that consumers’ interests are protected,” Sancho said.
Meanwhile, water consumers alliance Amlig Tubig said “the root of the problem from Day 1 is the Baciwa-Prime Water contract itself.”
“It is grossly onerous, one-sided, and designed to favor private greed over public welfare. Nullify the contract first,” it said.
Lawyer Cesar Beloria, co-convenor of the Council of Concerned Citizens, said if PrimeWater really has a new owner, “the public deserves clear and lawful answers.”
“This is a material development involving a public utility, and the law is clear on how such matters must be handled,” he said. (PNA)