Palace: More PrimeWater deals in 2019 when LWUA was under Villar-led DPWH

Joint venture agreements (JVAs) between PrimeWater and other local water districts increased in 2019 when the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) was still an attached agency of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Malacañang said Friday.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro reported this in a press briefing, noting that the DPWH during that time was led by then-secretary and incumbent Senator Mark Villar. 

PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp. is owned by the Villar family.

"Nabatid natin ang malawakang problema na naidulot ng kakulangan ng PrimeWater. Mas dumami ang mga joint venture agreements ng PrimeWater taong 2019, panahon ng nakaraang administrasyon at noong mai-attach ito sa DPWH na noon ay pinamumunuan ni Secretary Mark Villar,” Castro said. 

(We are aware of the widespread problems caused by the lapses of PrimeWater. PrimeWater's joint venture agreements increased in 2019 during the previous administration, when it was still attached to the DPWH which was then led by Secretary Mark Villar.) 

Castro said the Office of the President earlier on Friday held a meeting with the LWUA and the Office of The Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC) to discuss the current situation of PrimeWater consumers.

'Nakalusot'

LWUA Administrator Jose Moises Salonga said the agency already finished its initial investigation into the complaints against PrimeWater JVAs, and that its findings and recommendations were already submitted to Marcos' office. 

Salonga said the LWUA was previously an attached agency of DPWH, and the possible conflict may be linked to the previous officials of these offices. 

"We have also provided the historical context on how these joint ventures came to be, including those things na 'yung possible issues on our Board of Directors. Those things, nalagay namin and we have made it known to the people who were making…kasi technically 'yung appointments niyan, mayroon pang nagre-review, previously pa before our time," he said. 

(We have also provided the historical context on how these joint ventures came to be, including the possible issues on our Board of Directors. We included those things in our report and we have made it known to the involved people, because technically someone else reviewed those appointments even before our time.) 

"So papaano nakalusot 'yun, regarding possible issues, kung papano napamunuan ito, kailan ba dumami, nabigay namin. And there has been a report, the report actually mentions something about that," he added. 

(So we included in the report how these slipped under people's noses, the possible issues, how it was managed, when did these increase. The report actually mentions something about that.) 

'Finger point later'

Salonga was also asked if the LWUA included in its list of recommendations the termination of PrimeWater JVA. In response, he answered that the agency will prioritize putting water in people's pipes first. 

"Kasama 'yan sa strategies namin (That's one of our strategies). Termination, compulsion will not put water there. We are here to act first, finger point later. 'Yun ang gagawin namin (That's what we’ll do)," he said. 

Salonga also made assurance that water will be provided to consumers "as soon as everything is finalized from the top." 

GMA News Online reached out to Villar's office, the DPWH, and PrimeWater, but these have yet to respond as of posting time.

Marcos earlier ordered an investigation into the operations of PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp. due to numerous service-related complaints.

For its part, the water service provider had vowed to be open to any meaningful dialogue that would resolve concerns as it also affirmed it is committed to cooperating with LWUA. — VDV, GMA Integrated News