Metro Manila, Philippines – Most local water districts partnered with Villar-owned PrimeWater are dissatisfied with its services, and nearly 50 are seeking to end their joint venture agreements (JVAs) despite a tedious exit process, according to a survey by a senator’s office.

Senate public services committee chairman Raffy Tulfo said that of the 75 water districts in JVAs with PrimeWater, 70 joined the survey, and 61 reported dissatisfaction with the company’s services.

Of these, 24 have issued a notice of pre-termination, 25 are preparing to begin the process, and three have already terminated their deals — San Pedro City Water District in Laguna, Metro San Fernando Water District in La Union, and San Jose del Monte City Water District in Bulacan.

“Sa madaling salita, karamihan sa kanila, gusto nang makalaya,” Tulfo said in a committee hearing on Wednesday, Dec. 3.

“From our survey findings, one issue stood out louder than the rest: PrimeWater’s failure to deliver on its promises,” he added.

He said survey responses cited undelivered projects, financial red flags, substandard water quality, and deteriorating facilities. Consumers throughout the year have also reported poor service, frequent interruptions, and high water bills, prompting the congressional inquiries.

Water district woes

Tulfo said water districts are grappling with operational problems such as delayed salaries for employees, questionable tariff adjustments, and mounting debts to contractors.

He said it’s ironic, when subpoenaed financial statements show PrimeWater posted a ₱1.34-billion net income in 2024.

“Kung kaya niyong kumita ng bilyon, bakit hindi niyo kayang maglabas para sa sahod at bayarin sa contractors? [If you can earn billions, why can’t you pay wages and contractors?] Since 2022, PrimeWater has been earning billions, hindi piso-piso [not in measly amounts]. Sana naman na-raramdaman ito ng mga consumers [Here’s hoping the consumers are benefiting from these],” he lamented.

Tulfo also expressed concern over the lengthy process of terminating JVAs, which can drag on for more than a year.

“The JVA’s exit process is an obstacle course – a written notice, a mandatory 90-day negotiation, a 30-day amicable settlement period, and only after these stages can arbitration be initiated,” he said.

Nine water districts that issued pre-termination notices have already been stuck in that stage for over a year, he said.

“PrimeWater, we ask you to meet us halfway. If you want this problem to go away, maybe it’s time to walk away,” Tulfo said.

PrimeWater responds

PrimeWater President Roberto Fabrique Jr. acknowledged water supply problems but insisted they are not unique to PrimeWater, saying the company has been adhering to its JVAs.

“Hindi po totoo na mas pangit ang supply ngayon versus dati nang wala pa ang PrimeWater,” Fabrique said.

[Translation: It’s false to say that supply today is poor compared to when PrimeWater was not around.]

This irked Tulfo, who pointed out the numerous complaints and evidence.

“Huwag kami, sir. Don’t tell us na nung dumating ang Prime gumanda pa ang serbisyo. No, sir,” Tulfo said.

[Translation: Not us, sir. Don’t tell us service improved when PrimeWater took over. No, sir.]

“Don’t do that to us, don’t make us a liar,” he added.