Progressive group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) staged a protest Friday outside the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) headquarters, demanding swift government action on the ongoing water supply issues affecting communities serviced by PrimeWater.
The group condemned what it described as the failure of authorities to resolve the crisis, despite earlier assurances that the problem would be addressed immediately. PrimeWater, a private water concessionaire, has faced mounting criticism over service interruptions and allegedly overpriced rates.
LWUA has reportedly submitted its investigation findings to Malacañang, but the contents have yet to be made public. Bayan called the delay “highly unusual,” citing the urgency and public importance of the issue.
“We suspect that the PrimeWater issue will be used by President Marcos Jr. in his upcoming State of the Nation Address to impress listeners,” Bayan said in a statement. “The people’s water woes should not be hostaged by a president desperate for approval.”
The group urged the government to compel PrimeWater to restore water services immediately and to release the results of the LWUA probe. They also called for the publication of all PrimeWater contracts, citing widespread public outcry over the company’s alleged negligence.
Bayan reiterated its demand for the reversal of water district privatization nationwide, arguing that it has led to exorbitant rates and restricted access to a basic human right. “The PrimeWater scandal reflects the failure of privatization and exposes the scourge of corruption and corporate greed,” the group said.
The protest ended with calls for transparency, accountability, and the delivery of essential services free from political compromise. Bayan also urged Filipinos to denounce what it described as the Marcos administration’s “inaction, incompetence, and corruption.” (ZIA LUNA)
