SUBIC, Zambales – The sangguniang bayan (SB) here has passed a resolution “strongly urging” the Subic Water District (SWD) to terminate its joint venture agreement with PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp. due to widespread public dissatisfaction over the latter’s failure to provide efficient water services.
“Widespread consumer complaints and eventually the failure of PrimeWater to improve its water services …is a clear breach of the agreement/provisions of the joint venture agreement and are absolute indicators to warrant the termination of the [JVA] between [SWD] and PrimeWater, and return the water service operation to the government jurisdiction particularly to [SWD],” read Resolution No. 29, S-2025, unanimously approved by the SB during its 110th regular session on May 27.
Cited by the resolution as long-standing complaints from residents included: a) poor water services in the form of inadequate supply, low pressure, unstable flow, and dirty water unsuitable even for bathing or washing clothes; and b) questionable water rates where consumers are charged high bills despite insufficient supply, including a minimum rate even when consumption is below the minimum cubic meter threshold.
“This is a direct response to years of unresolved service failures. We must put the welfare of our constituents first,” noted councilor Elmer S. Tumaca, chair of the public works and communication committee.
The resolution asserted that PrimeWater violated key provisions of the JVA, including compliance with water quality standards and customer service benchmarks mandated by the Department of Health and Local Water Utilities Administration.
Citing similar grounds, the SWD earlier issued a notice of pre-termination to PrimeWater.
The council resolved to furnish copies of the resolution to relevant officials and agencies, including the PrimeWater Subic branch and the SSWD board.
The unanimously approved resolution was certified by SB Secretary Eva Esoterica R. Deveraturda, attested by Vice Mayor Lauro B. Simbol, and approved by Mayor Jonathan John F. Khonghun.
Punto News Team
