Bacolod councilor seeks suspension of PrimeWater permit amid public outcry

BACOLOD CITY — Councilor Wilson Gamboa Jr., chairman of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Human Rights, urged Mayor Greg Gasataya to suspend the business permit of PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp. for alleged failure to address persistent water problems affecting Bacolod residents.

In his privilege speech during the Oct. 29, 2025 session, Gamboa presented a proposed resolution calling for the “immediate suspension” of PrimeWater’s business permit, citing public outrage over “dark, smelly, murky, and contaminated water,” inadequate supply, and high costs.

“The resolution is not just about corporate compliance or technical management,” Gamboa said. “This is about protecting the people’s right to affordable, accessible, efficient, potable, clean, quality water supply and accountable public service.”

He emphasized that complaints against PrimeWater have reached “high heavens,” prompting Lone District Rep. Albee Benitez to convene a meeting on Oct. 21 with members of the Bacolod City Water District (BACIWA) board, Vice Mayor Kalaw Puentevella, and Executive Assistant April Mayo representing the mayor.

Gamboa said Benitez posed three key questions during the meeting — whether BACIWA could independently operate, whether it has sufficient capital, and how much it would need to rehabilitate the water system.

“Can BACIWA do it? Yes — a resounding yes,” Gamboa said, adding that the water district still has competent technical personnel and reinstated employees previously dismissed but later ordered reinstated by the Civil Service Commission.

He noted that BACIWA continues to operate a Systems Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) network to detect leaks and pilferage and has installed a new water metering system to improve accountability.

On financial capacity, Gamboa said BACIWA remains creditworthy and capable of raising funds for infrastructure projects.

“It has an annual average of savings, retained earnings, and a net annual income of PHP 100 million,” he said. “Before the joint venture, banks were willing to lend PHP 7 billion to PHP 8 billion when BACIWA only needed PHP 2.6 billion for rehabilitation.”

He added that with inflation adjustments, BACIWA would currently need about PHP 3.5 billion for complete system improvements, which could be accessed through institutional loans.

Gamboa argued that despite the 2020 joint venture with PrimeWater, service inefficiency has persisted, leading to mounting public complaints while the city government continues to bear the blame.

“If blame and accountability remain with us, then it is time that we re-take BACIWA to restore efficiency, transparency, and public trust,” he said. “If we are to be blamed anyway, then we might as well run BACIWA ourselves.”

He also alleged that PrimeWater failed to secure valid business permits for three consecutive years — 2022, 2023, and 2024 — and questioned the validity of its 2025 permit, which was reportedly issued only on Sept. 5, 2025.

“Such repeated violations should have already warranted a cease-and-desist order, as the law clearly mandates compliance before operation,” he said.

Gamboa reiterated that public utilities should prioritize service and accountability over profit.

He said any future public-private partnerships or joint ventures must be limited to specific projects where management, supervision, and collection remain under BACIWA’s control.

Quoting former Mayor and now Congressman Albee Benitez, Gamboa concluded: “The people of Bacolod have seen enough and heard enough. The clamor of the people is undeniable.”

“The people of Bacolod are demanding available and clean water 24/7,” he said. “Let BACIWA be returned to the people of Bacolod.”