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December 18, 2025 | 12:00am
Stock image of running water from faucet.
Image by Katja Just from Pixabay
MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang has assured consumers of PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp. of continued service amid changes in ownership of the private concessionaire.
Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro yesterday said Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) administrator Jose Moises Salonga is regularly reporting to President Marcos on efforts to address consumers’ concerns.
She said LWUA is preparing a memorandum circular that will serve as a guideline for preventing service interruptions.
“Consumers should not be burdened with charges if PrimeWater can’t offer any service,” Castro said in Filipino at a briefing.
The group of retail tycoon Lucio Co has entered into definitive agreements for the full acquisition of PrimeWater from the Villar Group.
Co chairs listed holding firm Cosco Capital Inc., which has investments in grocery retailing through Puregold and S&R, liquor distribution, commercial real estate, specialty retailing, oil and minerals and a growing renewable energy portfolio. The retail magnate also operates a water utility company called Pamana Water Corp.
Castro, meanwhile, said the government will continue to look into possible lapses and liabilities of PrimeWater to determine who could be held accountable. “This will depend on reports or documents gathered that can show the liability of PrimeWater,” she pointed out.
Investigation on PrimeWater by LWUA began in May following complaints of interrupted water supply delivery and high charges from residents of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Bohol, and Pangasinan.
Former senator Cynthia Villar earlier said that her husband, tycoon and former senator Manuel Villar Jr., wants to dispose of PrimeWater since it is being used against them in politics.
The company serves over 1.7 million households and treats more than 500 million liters of water daily. Its service coverage spans across Tuguegarao in Cagayan province, Central Luzon, Metro Manila, Calabarzon and the Visayas, all the way to Davao City in Mindanao.
Alarm raised
Despite assurances of improved services following a management change in PrimeWater, Las Piñas Rep. Mark Anthony Santos said the public should be doubly watchful as the development may pose new challenges to millions of consumers.
Santos said the transaction is alarming as it was conducted largely outside of public scrutiny, with minimal consultation with consumers or local governments. He stressed he is not against private investment in water utilities like PrimeWater.
“The sale of PrimeWater does not automatically erase the damage suffered by the people from the privatization of water. They should pay for the damage to the consumers and hold them accountable,” Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Sarah Elago also said in a statement.
