LWUA finishing report after probe into PrimeWater services

The Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) is wrapping up its report on the operations of water service provider PrimeWater following complaints against its services.

''We are already finishing our report, hindi ko lang mapi-preempt at bibigay po namin sa Presidente iyon (I can't preempt since we will give it to the President). And after his appreciation of the facts, then we’d be able to share the contents of such report,'' Atty. Jose Moises Salonga, LWUA president, said in a Palace press briefing on Friday.

Salonga said the agency is also planning to implement short-term and systemic long-term solutions to address the complaints on PrimeWater.

''What we’ve planned to do is to come up with short-term solutions as well as systemic long-term solution regarding this matter. It was unprecedented eh, PD 198 did not contemplate joint ventures with water districts. So that’s something that we have to face right now. It’s part of development and evolution of our economics,'' Salonga said.

''So, after we present, we will address it in two ways: Short-term solution and a long-term systemic solution regarding this matter. Kasi utilities ito eh, hindi talaga naso-solve nang mabilisan (This is utilities, it cannot be solved right away.),'' he added.

The LWUA was the lead agency in the investigation into PrimeWater’s alleged deficencies in its services.

According to Salonga, the PrimeWater submitted a catch up plan and that the LWUA is already looking into it.

He added that there had been some marginal improvements on the areas where residents have complaints against the water service provider. 

For its part, PrimeWater earlier said it welcomed “any opportunity for an open and meaningful dialogue to resolve concerns and commit to cooperating with LWUA.”

The company added that it is intensifying its initiatives to address the requirements and satisfy the demand particularly those in challenged areas.

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. had ordered an investigation into the operations of PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp. due to numerous service-related complaints.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro had said the Marcos administration does not tolerate insufficiency of services, noting that the needs of the public must always be provided.

Salonga also gave updates on the water supply in some schools in Bulacan, saying that there's already supply in Santisima Trinidad and in Barihan Elementary School in Malolos.

The deep well to provide sufficient water in Tibagan Elementary School in San Miguel, on the other hand, is being fixed, Salonga said.

To recall, Marcos directed LWUA to look into the water supply problems in these areas. — BAP, GMA Integrated News