Marcos to order probe on Villar’s PrimeWater

Metro Manila, Philippines - President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to order an investigation on the Villar-owned PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp. for its alleged sky-high rates despite its poor water supply services.

PrimeWater’s consumers have been complaining about their negative experience with the company, such as inconsistent water supply and poor service restoration after outages. The private firm manages water services for 500,000 households in over 100 districts nationwide.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro on Wednesday, April 30, said water services should not become a form of business and should rather address the needs of its consumers.

"Ang kakulangan sa serbisyo ay walang puwang sa administrasyon ni Pang. Marcos Jr...Mag-uutos po ang pangulo para imbestigahan po ito,” Castro said.

[Translation: Lackluster service does not have a place in Pres. Marcos Jr.’s administration…The president will order a probe on this.]

The business is owned by the family of business tycoon and former lawmaker Manny Villar, who is named among the Top 3 richest Filipinos. His daughter, Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar, is seeking a Senate seat in the upcoming midterm polls.

Asked if the Palace thinks the issue will affect Villar’s possible performance in the May 12 elections, Castro said the candidate should prove herself as a leader.

“If there’s a need for them to resolve the issues raised by the consumers, I think [there] should immediately [be] an immediate action on that,” she said.

House Assistant Majority Leader Jay Khonghun previously said he will file a measure seeking to launch an investigation into PrimeWater’s operations.

The Villars have yet to respond on the matter.