The Senate Committee on Public Services on Monday raised serious concern over the operational integrity of PrimeWater Infrastructure Corporation, which has entered into joint venture agreements with at least 75 water districts affecting 16 million consumers nationwide.
Committee chairman Sen. Raffy Tulfo senator said at the September 29 Senate hearing he has received numerous complaints of poor water quality and service interruptions in the areas where PrimeWater operates.
Tulfo stressed that the purpose of the joint ventures is to allow private providers to bridge financial gaps for water districts, contributing essential expertise, investment, and capitalization to upgrade and improve water systems.
However, Tulfo added, this appears to not be the case with PrimeWater, with evidence suggesting consistent failure to deliver promised capital expenditure (capex) commitments, leaving customers with unreliable service.
PrimeWater president Roberto Fabrique Jr., said the company has been able to deliver P600 million capex for Cabanatuan, disputing Senator Tulfo’s lower figure of P262 million for the area.
Fabrique, however, admitted this amount was still notably below the full amount promised in the joint venture agreement. He added during the hearing that the company did not have data available for the Metro Surigao Water District, where Tulfo had cited a shortfall of P904 million in promised investments.
