CSF Water District: Public trust betrayed

FOR SEVERAL years now, the subscribers of the City of San Fernando Water District (CSFWD), in partnership with PrimeWater Infrastructure through a joint venture agreement (JVA), have been experiencing persistent and unresolved problems involving water quality, service reliability, billing concerns, and lack of transparency in operations.

As consumers and stakeholders, we are now compelled to ask: What has the CSFWD done to protect the interest of the Fernandinos?

CSFWD legal mandate

The CSFWD is governed under Presidential Decree 198 (The Provincial Water Utilities Act of 1973) which clearly states that water districts are publicly-owned utilities created to provide adequate, safe, and affordable water service to the people.

The CSFWD Board of Directors is legally bound by:

• PD 198, Section 31 – Duty to ensure efficient management and operations
• RA 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees) – Duty to act with responsibility, integrity, transparency, and public accountability
• RA 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) – Prohibits causing undue injury, neglect of duty, or giving unwarranted benefit to any private party
• RA 11032 (Ease of Doing Business and Anti-Red Tape Act) – Requires streamlined, transparent, and accessible public service transactions.

These laws make it clear, CSFWD is accountable to the consumers. The Board of Directors is required by law to act in the best interest of the public. Yet today, what is happening is the opposite.

Lack of transparency and public accountability

From the time the JVA with PrimeWater was executed, the following have been absent:

• Regular service performance reports
• CSFWD oversight findings and monitoring results
• Public disclosure of contractual compliance by PrimeWater
• Open consultations where consumers can raise questions
• Transparency in how decisions affecting water access are made

Despite numerous complaints from households and businesses, no clear actions or public explanations have been provided by CSFWD leadership. In fact, it is now the Mayor of San Fernando who has stepped forward to address the worsening water situation, a task that should have been primarily led by CSFWD.

The silence of the water district remains deeply alarming.

Unanswered questions

We are aware that discussions regarding the possible pre-termination of the JVA were raised. However:

• No public disclosure was made
• No consultation with stakeholders occurred
• PrimeWater continues to operate without visible accountability
• Service complaints continue to escalate

Are the subscribers being informed, or are we being deliberately kept uninformed?

The people demand transparency

We now formally call for:

1. Full disclosure and publication of the Joint Venture Agreement
2. A performance audit of PrimeWater based on contractual and legal obligations 3. A complete public report on CSFWD’s oversight actions since the start of the JVA
3. Public consultations where Fernandinos are heard and respected

Accountability and legal action

If records reveal that the CSFWD Board of Directors, past or present, was negligent, failed to perform mandatory oversight, or allowed consumer welfare to deteriorate, then:

• Administrative and criminal cases shall be filed before the Office of the Ombudsman
• Possible suspension, dismissal, and perpetual disqualification from public office may result under RA 6713 and RA 3019
• Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) may be requested to intervene and assume oversight
• Civil actions for damages may also be pursued on behalf of affected households and businesses

Public office is a public trust, and trust must never be betrayed.

If CSFWD cannot protect the people, if it can no longer serve its legal purpose, then it is time to restructure or replace the arrangement entirely to ensure:

• Clear accountability
• Enforceable service standards
• Protection of the consumers’ welfare

Because water is a basic right. Because no Fernandino should suffer due to mismanagement. This is not political. This is not personal. This is public welfare. We, as consumers, taxpayers, and citizens, will not hesitate to bring this case to the courts and to the Office of the Ombudsman if necessary. The time for silence has ended. Today, we demand truth, action, and accountability.