Consumer groups in Bacolod City are calling for the revocation of the joint venture agreement (JVA) between Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa) and PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp., citing poor service and substandard water quality.
In a petition submitted to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Water Watch Advocates, led by convenor Wennie Sancho, said the JVA has resulted in “substandard water quality, particularly turbid water, affecting the health and well-being of consumers.”
“We respectfully pray that the JVA between Baciwa and PrimeWater be revoked. A thorough investigation be conducted into the water quality issues and other concerns and alternative arrangements be explored to ensure access to safe, potable, and affordable water for Bacolod City consumers,” the petition read.
The group also cited the lack of public ratification and the City Council’s refusal to hold a public hearing as violations of consumers’ right to participate in the process.
Sancho said the petition is an initial submission, with plans to gather more consumer signatures for broader support.
Meanwhile, Amlig Tubig, a consumer alliance affiliated with the Diocese of Bacolod Social Action Center, echoed these concerns, stating that deteriorating service is a trend among water districts that entered into JVAs with PrimeWater.
“It includes Baciwa, which has endured deteriorating water service for Bacolod residents for nearly five years,” the group said.
Together with the Baciwa Employees Union–National Federation of Labor Unions, Amlig Tubig urged other local governments to reconsider similar agreements and restore public management of water services.
The call for revocation comes amid an ongoing probe by the Local Water Utilities Administration into PrimeWater’s 73 JVAs nationwide, following President Marcos’ directive.
PrimeWater took over Baciwa’s operations in November 2020, pledging PHP1.6 billion over five years to improve the city’s water system. However, as of March 24, only 47.45 percent of Bacolod has access to a 24-hour water supply, with an average daily availability of just 19.11 hours.
