Among the important infrastructure projects that the Regional Project Monitoring Committee of the RDC discussed in its meeting on June 11, 2024, was the pipe-replacement/laying Project of the Primewater Infrastructure Corporation and the Leyte Metropolitan Water District Joint Venture Agreement.
The project will benefit the San Jose District of Tacloban City, where coincidentally, the residence of Mayor Alfred Romualdez is located as well as other properties known to be owned by former Mayor Alfredo “Bejo” Romualdez, father of the current Mayor.
The Joint Venture will spend around 67.5 million pesos on these projects.
Issues are Connected
At first blush, the projects will not “raise an eyebrow”. But if one looks deeper there are issues connected to these projects. One is its location relative to other areas such as V and G Subdivision that is experiencing low water pressure. Why choose this District?
Two, is precisely what was mentioned, low water pressure. The question is: why prioritize pipe replacement over a project that will increase water supply and water pressure? The joint venture has not put in place additional water volume to improve its services to consumers.
On the contrary, without additional water supply, the pipes could further lower water pressure. In this sense, so far, this joint venture has been a failure. The pipe-laying projects will add to the low water pressure, instead of improving it.
Betrayal of Public Trust
Somebody is not doing his job properly here, and it looks like it is Primewater, a company reportedly owned by the Villar family, with two of its members prominently sitting in the Philippine Senate.
This is the betrayal of public trust that Primewater has committed. It has betrayed its commitment to the people of Tacloban City that it will solve the water problems of the city. It lied to the water consumers. It therefore betrayed the trust placed on its shoulders.
Primewater Infrastructure Corporation has set aside its pledge to improve water supply and pressure in its service area, mostly in Tacloban City. It is time for the City Government to investigate this violation of the Agreement.
Also, the Ombudsman can make the Joint Venture answer the complaint that Primewater is not fulfilling its commitment in the Joint Venture Agreement.
The city government controls this Joint Venture because the members of the Board of Directors of LMWD are appointees of the City Mayor. The Ombudsman can tackle this because of the critical service and obligation of a public utility that the Joint Venture has failed to do.
We are watching and waiting.
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