Progressive youth group Anakbayan is calling for a nationwide reversal of water privatization policies, citing widespread failures by private water utility PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp.
“Water is a right, not a business. But in the Philippines today, millions are being deprived of this right as the privatization of water utilities, under the leadership of corporations like PrimeWater, owned by the Villar family, continues to ravage our communities,” it said in a statement.
Anakbayan on Sunday accused PrimeWater of worsening water access in over 100 service areas through public-private partnerships.
The group pointed to recurring service issues such as dry faucets, unsafe drinking water and rising water bills across communities from Bulacan and Cavite to Leyte and San Jose del Monte.
Mounting complaints have reached national agencies, prompting the Local Water Utilities Administration and the Office of the President to revisit some controversial water deals.
On May 17, newly proclaimed Senator Camille Villar, daughter of PrimeWater’s owners, said she would support a Senate inquiry into the company amid growing public criticism.
“As I have said prior to elections, if that is what the majority wants, we welcome it,” Villar, the youngest senator at 40, said after her proclamation.
