A Bacolod consumer welfare advocate has lauded the statement of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on the government’s firm action against those responsible for the poor delivery of water service, including in this highly urbanized city.
“I commend the President’s statement highlighting the dismal state of water services in the Philippines. We believe that this acknowledgement is a crucial step towards addressing the long-standing issues plaguing the water sector,” Water Watch Advocates convenor Wennie Sancho said in a statement on Tuesday, July 29.
In his State of the Nation Address on Monday, Marcos said he had personally reviewed the report from the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), showing the pervasive complaints against several water districts and their private partners, and committed to acting against those responsible for the dismal water service.
The Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa) entered into a joint venture agreement (JVA) with PrimeWater five years ago, allowing the Villar Group’s water utility firm to take over its operations, with an investment pledge of PHP1.6 billion to improve the city’s water supply system.
However, consumers in several villages continue to experience poor service and low water quality until now.
In May, the Water Watch Advocates sent a petition to the President, calling for the revocation of the JVA as it “has resulted in substandard water quality, particularly turbid water, affecting the health and well-being of consumers.”
Sancho also filed a complaint before the LWUA on June 16, which was received by the agency on June 19.
On July 14, the City Council’s committee on energy and public utilities, chaired by Councilor Roberto Roxas, conducted a public hearing, based on the letter of complaint and position paper submitted by Sancho, reiterating his complaints against PrimeWater Bacolod City.
“The public hearing was productive, and there was a thorough discussion of the issues and concerns. We are waiting for the release of the committee report,” he added.*PNA