SAN JOSE DEL MONTE, Bulacan — Police arrested septuagenarian engineer Even Calajate, president of the Alliance for Consumer Protection (ACP) and former chairman of the San Jose Del Monte Water District (SJDMWD), on Wednesday morning over what consumer groups denounced as a fabricated perjury case.
Calajate, a longtime public servant and consumer rights defender, was accused after exposing alleged collusion between local officials and business interests to bring PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp. into San Jose Del Monte, a joint venture that residents say has led to years of poor, costly, and unsafe water service.
From 1989 to 2006, Calajate chaired SJDMWD, expanding water service from 1,300 households to nearly 72,000. Under his leadership, the district was recognized as “Outstanding Water District” by the Local Water Utilities Administration in 2006. After leaving the post, he founded ACP, spearheading protests and legal actions against PrimeWater over deteriorating service quality, lack of transparency, and rising rates.
The ACP and Water for the People Network (WPN) condemned the arrest, likening it to the detention of former councilor Irene Del Rosario, another pro-consumer advocate who opposed water privatization in SJDM. Both had pointed to Rep. Rida Robes’ privilege speech declaring “no water in San Jose Del Monte,” which they said was used to justify the privatization of the local water district through a joint venture with PrimeWater.
Kabataan Partylist also denounced the arrest, saying ordinary citizens — even senior advocates — are being targeted while political dynasties and big businesses remain unaccountable. They demanded the dismissal of the case and Calajate’s release, calling instead for refunds and compensation to consumers, an end to water privatization, and the guarantee of clean, affordable, and reliable water service. (RRN)
