Even to this day, residents express outrage because of low to no water connection in several areas in Malaybalay City, yet monthly bills continue
CAGAYAN DE ORO — A group fighting against water privatization welcomed the decision of the water district of Malaybalay, Bukidnon’s capital city, to issue a notice on January 19 to pre-terminate its joint venture agreement with water distribution firm PrimeWater Infrastructure Corporation.
However, despite this development, the Water for the People Network (WPN) said consumers’ concerns on water connection may still not be resolved.
“Based on the experiences of other water districts that had pre-termination, nothing had turned up,” said Leo Espelimbergo, WPN spokesperson, in a press conference in Quezon City on Friday, January 30.
The decision of the Malaybalay City Water District (MCWD) came following an evaluation it did for PrimeWater’s performance over the last five years, identifying contract obligation issues that allegedly remain unaddressed by the private firm. The latter was given 40 days to coordinate with the terms of pre-termination.
Read: <Villar-owned water utilities burden residents>
PrimeWater was previously owned by the Villar group, but it announced in December last year that Crystal Bridges Holding Corporation, owned by business tycoon Lucio Co, will acquire 100 percent of the company.
It controls about 69 percent of joint venture agreements nationwide, according to WPN.
Even to this day, residents express outrage because of low to no water connection in several areas in Malaybalay City, yet monthly bills continue.
Insufficient supply
Mericris Layagan, a resident of Barangay Cabangahan, a hinterland village in Malaybalay City, is dismayed as PrimeWater nowadays allegedly delivers only one tank of water supply every 15 days, a huge difference from the once-per-week schedule in the past.
A tank of water, she said, would be connected to the main line so that consumers can have water connections directly from their faucets. This has been the system in their neighborhood, especially for those who have been serviced by PrimeWater.
Per tank, Layagan said, would normally last for only two days. Yet, they still need to pay the minimum monthly water bill. Once their supply runs out, they have no choice but to purchase water nearby.
“Consumers are having a hard time because we buy water every day that we can use for bathing, cooking, and washing dishes,” Layagan told Bulatlat in the vernacular, adding they pay P13 per gallon, as they ask somebody to fetch water for them.
Some households, Layagan said, already departed from the services of PrimeWater, as they have been getting their supply now from Barangay Cabangahan Water Supply System (BCWSS). Her family, meanwhile, has to endure the present situation, as BCWSS’ current water pressure still cannot reach their residence.
Reclaim public water
In its position paper at a Senate Committee on Public Services hearing last year, the network said private water distribution firms allegedly resist and drag the cases to court when water districts issue pre-termination notices. This act, according to WPN, prolongs the suffering of consumers.
Apart from PrimeWater, WPN stated that other companies involved in joint venture agreements with government-run water firms include Manila Water of Enrique Razon, Pamana Water Company of Lucio Co, and Metro Pacific Water of the Pangilinan group.
Cagayan de Oro City Water District also has its fair share of struggles with their primary bulk water supplier, the Cagayan de Oro Bulk Water Incorporated, which is under the control of Metro Pacific Water.
Read: Cagayan de Oro water firm urged to prioritize sufficient water supply over internal dispute
Eufemia Doringo, secretary general of urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay), stressed that people’s basic needs, such as water, should not be under the control of big corporations.
“Water must be for all and not only for those who can afford it,” she added in the same press conference.
WPN is urging the people of Malaybalay to organize and join the network in reclaiming public water.
Espelimbergo explained that the government was created by the people and sustained by the people through their taxes. So the government, he said, must bring this back to the populace through social services, such as providing safe, adequate, and affordable water supply, which is a fundamental human right.
“The people are the ones who spend to improve this. So, they have the right to reclaim what they developed,” he said in Filipino. (RVO)
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