Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday filed a resolution seeking a Senate investigation into joint venture agreements (JVAs) between government water districts and private concessionaires, following Commission on Audit (COA) findings that flagged several contracts as “disadvantageous.”
“No one is too big to be investigated. Kailangan nang silipin ang mga water concessionaires na ito dahil masyadong maraming kababayan natin ang uhaw na uhaw na sa maayos na serbisyo mula sa kanila, lalo na ngayong tag-init,” Hontiveros said, citing a rise in complaints, particularly against PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp.
Filed under Proposed Senate Resolution No. 1352, the measure urges the Senate Committee on Public Services to review the legality and accountability of JVAs with firms like PrimeWater, Manila Water Philippine Ventures, and Metro Pacific Water Investments Corp.
“Hindi katanggap-tanggap ang papatak-patak na serbisyo. Hindi pwedeng palagpasin ang mga kontratang sinlabo ng tubig na lumalabas sa ilang mga kabahayan na biktima ng kapalpakan ng mga water concessionaires at ng oversight bodies,” she added.
Hontiveros said various COA reports highlighted vague and harmful JVA terms that threaten the financial health of local water districts. She cited the San Jose del Monte Water District as a case where service and finances declined after entering a JVA.
The senator also pointed to reports of poor water supply and rising tariffs in areas like Bulacan and Bacolod City under PrimeWater’s management, triggering public outcry and protests.
“Sa ngayon, 11 water districts daw ang gustong tapusin na agad ang joint venture agreements nila. The problem might be far worse and more encompassing,” she noted, urging Malacañang to act immediately on the audit findings.
While the Palace has indicated plans to look into PrimeWater’s performance, Hontiveros emphasized the need for Senate action to assess the broader impact and the role of oversight bodies such as the Local Water Utilities Administration, National Water Resources Board, COA, and the PPP Center.