Former Bayan Muna Congressmen Carlos Isagani Zarate, and Ferdinand Gaite held a press conference today to announce their formal complaint along with clients of PrimeWater to be filed in Malacañang, calling for the immediate cancellation of all joint venture agreements (JVAs) between PrimeWater Infrastructure Corporation and local water districts across the country.
“We are filing this complaint because PrimeWater’s horrendous service and unjust rates are unacceptable. Water is a basic human right, not a profit-making commodity for oligarchs.”
Carlos Isagani Zarate added, “The privatization of water through these JVAs has only brought higher prices and poorer service to our communities. It’s time to prioritize the welfare of the Filipino people over corporate profits.”
Ferdinand Gaite further stated, “The numerous grievances from residents—frequent water interruptions, poor quality, and exorbitant charges—are clear evidence that these agreements are detrimental to public health and welfare. We demand that all these JVAs be rescinded immediately.”
Bayan Muna’s action stems from longstanding issues associated with PrimeWater’s operations, particularly in areas like San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, where residents have suffered from unreliable water supply, contaminated water, and sky-high rates. Since the inception of the JVAs in 2018, complaints have mounted, yet government action has been inconsistent and insufficient.
“These agreements violate our laws and the Constitution,”** Colmenares explained. **“They breach the Provincial Water Utilities Act, the principles of public trust, and our right to affordable water. The government must act now to revoke these unjust contracts and bring water back to the people.”
The group called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to issue an executive order to cancel all onerous JVAs, instruct LWUA to take back full management of affected water districts, and launch a thorough investigation into how these agreements were approved.
“The privatization of water is a neoliberal policy that prioritizes profit over people’s welfare. We are calling for a reversal of these policies and the immediate return of water services to public control,”** Gaite declared.
They also urged the public and various sectors to stand together in resisting the ongoing privatization of crucial utilities.
“Water is a public good, and it should remain in the hands of the people. Hindi ito negosyo para sa iilan; ito ay karapatan ng bawat Pilipino,”Zarate emphasized.
The leaders emphasized that previous efforts to investigate PrimeWater’s operations—such as Bayan Muna’s resolutions and calls for legislative review—have been ignored or blocked, and that now is the time for urgent government action.
“We call on the Marcos administration to act swiftly, to protect the Filipino people from the greed and neglect of private corporations. The responsibility to provide safe, affordable, and reliable water lies with the government,”Colmenares concluded. #
