Lucio Co's Crystal Bridges allots P6.7B for Primewater rehab

Tycoon Lucio Co’s Crystal Bridges Holding Corp. is earmarking P6.7 billion for the rehabilitation and expansion of Primewater Infrastructure Corp.

In a statement, Crystal Bridges said the investment in Primewater came after it completed the acquisition of the water utility from the Villar Group in May 2026.

In December last year, the Villar Group announced that Co’s holding firm is acquiring 100% of Primewater.

Crystal Bridges said the P6.7-billion investment will fund infrastructure upgrades and service improvements across Primewater’s network as its new owner implements its turnaround strategy.

The Co-led holding firm added the initial capital outlay will finance projects covering the entire water supply chain—from the development of new water sources to the rehabilitation and modernization of existing distribution systems.

“Crystal Bridges is dedicating significant resources toward the revitalization of our water systems. Access to clean water remains one of the country’s most fundamental needs. Under our management, we aim to strengthen our capacity to provide reliable water services to communities across the Philippines,” said Jose Paulino "JP" Santamarina, director of Crystal Bridges.

Planned projects include the construction and rehabilitation of water treatment plants, pumping stations, and septage treatment facilities, as well as the installation and replacement of transmission and distribution pipelines.

Crystal Bridges added that it also plans to build new reservoirs and booster pumping systems to improve water pressure, expand network coverage, and enhance service reliability. The projects will be implemented across its water districts nationwide.

“We understand the urgency of providing communities with access to clean and reliable water,” said Santamarina.

“We are working at full capacity to address existing issues as quickly and efficiently as possible,” added Santamaria.

The holding firm said the capital spending plan is expected to benefit millions of customers by improving water availability, service reliability, and system capacity.

Crystal Bridges, moreover, noted that the P6.7-billion allocation represents only the first phase of its investment program for Primewater.

It said additional capital expenditures are expected to be rolled out through 2027 as Crystal Bridges completes a broader assessment of the utility’s assets and operational requirements. —AOL, GMA News