Palace: PrimeWater Deals Rose Under Villar’s DPWH Tenure Amid Growing Consumer Complaints

The Palace has confirmed that the number of PrimeWater joint venture agreements significantly increased in 2019, during the time Senator Mark Villar served as Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). The revelation came as the government steps up efforts to address mounting complaints over PrimeWater’s alleged service deficiencies.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro made the statement following a high-level meeting held on Friday, July 4, with officials from the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC), and representatives from the Office of the President. The meeting was called to assess the current state of water distribution in areas serviced by PrimeWater and to determine what actions need to be taken to ensure consumers receive reliable service.

“We uncovered a broad and troubling pattern of issues caused by PrimeWater’s lack of adequate service. Records show that there was a notable increase in joint venture agreements involving PrimeWater in 2019—during the previous administration, when it was under the jurisdiction of the DPWH led by then-Secretary Mark Villar,” Castro said.

According to Castro, the findings have raised serious questions about the process behind the expansion of PrimeWater’s partnerships with local water districts. She noted that consumers in many areas have reported chronic problems such as water interruptions, low pressure, and poor quality of service, despite being covered by long-term agreements.

LWUA Administrator Jose Moises Salonga confirmed during the meeting that their agency has completed its initial investigation into public complaints involving PrimeWater. He said that a report containing recommendations, key findings, and proposed courses of action has been submitted for consideration.

“We’ve outlined our recommendations and the next steps forward. Our primary concern is how we can ensure the delivery of clean, accessible water to households that have long suffered from poor service,” Salonga stated.

He emphasized that the purpose of the investigation was not to assign blame, but to find solutions to the growing water supply issues being reported by communities across the country.

“This is not about finger-pointing or political posturing. The central issue here is service—how we get water flowing into the homes of affected Filipinos,” Salonga added.

Castro said the Palace is closely monitoring the situation and that further discussions will be held to determine the appropriate course of action. This could include a review of existing joint venture agreements between PrimeWater and various water districts, especially in areas where performance standards are not being met.

PrimeWater, a company linked to the Villar family, has been awarded numerous water distribution contracts nationwide through joint ventures with local government units. Critics have long questioned the transparency and accountability in these agreements, especially as public dissatisfaction grows.

With public pressure mounting and communities demanding answers, the Palace assured consumers that the administration is committed to protecting public welfare and ensuring that water—a basic human right—is delivered efficiently and equitably.