BUSINESS
Advocates Philippines
PrimeWater Sold; Transition To New Owner Underway
Photo credit: Prime Water Bacolod City
PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp., the water utility firm owned by the Villar Group, has been sold, according to Bacolod City Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez.
Speaking on Monday, Dec. 15, during an interview on Straight to the Point over DYHB RMN, Benitez confirmed that the sale was finalized late last week and that a new owner is expected to assume control soon. While he did not identify the buyer, he said a formal announcement is likely within the week.
PrimeWater has operated Bacolod’s water system since 2020 under a 25-year joint venture agreement (JVA) with the Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa). The company has faced widespread criticism in several areas nationwide over alleged service issues.
Benitez said the incoming owner is already engaged in the water industry and has a track record free of major complaints in its service areas, giving him confidence in the transition.
He recalled that when he first assumed office as mayor, Bacolod’s water supply stood at only 60 to 70 million liters per day (MLD), well below the city’s 100 MLD target. That shortfall has since been addressed, but other challenges remain.
One major concern, Benitez said, is the need to replace aging pipes and facilities across the city’s water system. Baciwa has estimated that around P1.5 billion will be required to modernize and improve services.
“What is important is that the new firm invests in modernization,” Benitez said.
“I told Baciwa to avoid a messy court case. It should convince the new owner of PrimeWater to improve the provisions of the JVA, which is a bit one-sided,” he added.
According to Benitez, this message—along with the need for a P1.5-billion investment—has already been relayed to PrimeWater’s new owner. He noted that the incoming firm has both the technical expertise and financial capacity to deliver improvements.
“The new firm is definitely much better than PrimeWater of the Villars,” Benitez said.
He also made clear that he is open to other water concessionaires entering Bacolod, emphasizing that greater competition would ultimately benefit consumers through better service and accountability.
Speaking on Monday, Dec. 15, during an interview on Straight to the Point over DYHB RMN, Benitez confirmed that the sale was finalized late last week and that a new owner is expected to assume control soon. While he did not identify the buyer, he said a formal announcement is likely within the week.
PrimeWater has operated Bacolod’s water system since 2020 under a 25-year joint venture agreement (JVA) with the Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa). The company has faced widespread criticism in several areas nationwide over alleged service issues.
Benitez said the incoming owner is already engaged in the water industry and has a track record free of major complaints in its service areas, giving him confidence in the transition.
He recalled that when he first assumed office as mayor, Bacolod’s water supply stood at only 60 to 70 million liters per day (MLD), well below the city’s 100 MLD target. That shortfall has since been addressed, but other challenges remain.
One major concern, Benitez said, is the need to replace aging pipes and facilities across the city’s water system. Baciwa has estimated that around P1.5 billion will be required to modernize and improve services.
“What is important is that the new firm invests in modernization,” Benitez said.
“I told Baciwa to avoid a messy court case. It should convince the new owner of PrimeWater to improve the provisions of the JVA, which is a bit one-sided,” he added.
According to Benitez, this message—along with the need for a P1.5-billion investment—has already been relayed to PrimeWater’s new owner. He noted that the incoming firm has both the technical expertise and financial capacity to deliver improvements.
“The new firm is definitely much better than PrimeWater of the Villars,” Benitez said.
He also made clear that he is open to other water concessionaires entering Bacolod, emphasizing that greater competition would ultimately benefit consumers through better service and accountability.
Dec 16, 2025
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