Gov't Pursuing Water Service Improvements, Legal Actions vs. Erring Water Districts

Malacañang on Tuesday said the government continues to implement measures to improve water services nationwide, including developing new water sources, expanding water networks, and studying legal remedies against water districts and joint venture partners that fail to fulfill their obligations. During a press briefing, Palace Press Officer and Undersecretary Claire Castro was asked for an update on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s 2025 State of the Nation Address (SONA) commitment to address poor water service and high water rates in some areas, particularly those served by PrimeWater. Citing information from the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), Castro said the agency has been carrying out improvements on the President’s instructions. “Sa ngayon, according to LWUA, sa utos ng Pangulo, nagsasagawa sila ng improvements sa water services. Nandiyan ang pag-develop ng new water sources and expansion of water networks," she said. (At present, according to LWUA, upon the President’s directive, they are undertaking improvements in water services. These include developing new water sources and expanding water networks.) She added that LWUA is also working to reduce water losses caused by leaks. “Ito po ’yung tinitingnan, may leakage, mga tagas ng tubig para hindi masayang ang tubig.” (They are also looking into leakages so that water will not be wasted.) Castro noted that LWUA continues to ensure that water districts and their joint venture partners comply with their contractual obligations. “Patungkol sa mga water districts, sinabi rin po ng LWUA… pinagpapatuloy ng LWUA na masiguro na ang obligasyon ng mga water districts at mga partners ay maisakatuparan para sa ating mga kababayan.” (Regarding the water districts, LWUA said it continues to ensure that the obligations of the water districts and their partners are fulfilled for the benefit of the public.) She stressed that entities found to have violated their mandates should be held accountable. “Kailangan maging accountable ang nagba-violate sa kanilang mandato o obligasyon.” (Those who violate their mandate or obligations must be held accountable.) Castro also said LWUA is examining the services being provided by water districts and is looking into legal remedies against those found to have committed violations. The Palace official made the remarks days before Marcos is set to deliver his fourth SONA on Monday, July 27, where water service improvements are expected to be among the administration’s infrastructure and public service initiatives. Last year, in his 2025 SONA, Marcos directed the LWUA to resolve problems involving water districts and their joint venture partners following complaints over unreliable water supply and high water rates in several parts of the country. —KG, GMA News