A payment dispute between Bacolod Bulk Water Incorporated (BBWI) and PrimeWater has triggered a surge of public anger over what consumers say are years of poor service, broken promises, and contaminated water from PrimeWater-BACIWA.

BBWI earlier warned it would cut water supply over the weekend due to Php 5.6 million in unpaid bills from March to June 2025. Around 40 percent of PrimeWater’s supply comes from BBWI’s treatment facilities in Barangay Granada and the Sum-ag Water Treatment Plant in Barangay Salvacion, Murcia.

In an August 11 media interview, Gasataya said he intervened and asked BBWI to give until Monday for talks with BACIWA-PrimeWater, citing the severe impact on residents if supply was cut, alongside mounting complaints about murky water.

He said he joined the Monday morning meeting with BACIWA-PrimeWater on August 11 and that both parties have already made arrangements to settle the collectibles.

Gasataya stressed he only intervened to ensure residents would not be affected and thanked BBWI for heeding his request.

The City Council has urged PrimeWater Bacolod City to address numerous complaints on poor service, particularly reports of “dark, smelly, and contaminated water” affecting households in several barangays this week.

Councilor Caesar Distrito, who authored a resolution passed on Wednesday afternoon, August 6, said the call for action comes amid “the absence of clear communication and accountability” from the water service provider.

Complaints have come from residents in Taculing, Singcang-Airport, Sum-ag, Mansilingan, Banago, Cabug, Pahanocoy, Tangub, Alijis, Bata, and almost all numbered barangays near downtown.

“The people of Bacolod deserve safe, clean, and potable water. PrimeWater-BACIWA must immediately explain what caused this water contamination and what they are doing about it,” Distrito said, stressing the issue “is no longer just a service issue, but a public health concern.”

Distrito said the entire City Council, led by Vice Mayor Claudio Jesus Puentevella, will personally deliver the resolution to PrimeWater and BACIWA within the week. The resolution also requests a full public report identifying the cause of the water quality issues, the affected areas, immediate remedial measures, and long-term solutions.

As of August 13, PrimeWater has already settled its May billing to BBWI and is processing its June payment, consumers remain outraged over what they call a “failed” joint venture between PrimeWater and BACIWA.

Meanwhile, more than 59 former BACIWA employees continue to fight for reinstatement after winning their illegal termination case, with the Civil Service Commission ordering BACIWA to pay around Php140 million in back wages.

BACIWA Employees Union Vice-President Benjie Uray during a press conference last August 6 said the group has appealed in court to be reinstated, noting the law requires both back wages and return to work. He also questioned why former BACIWA board officials, some of whome are facing perpetual disqualification from public office, pushed the PrimeWater joint venture despite the pending case.

Consumer group Amlig Tubig welcomed the recent public admission by BACIWA Board President Atty. Sonya Verdeflor that the Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) between BACIWA and PrimeWater is “indi worth it.”

“This is a truth that consumers, advocates, and various sectors have long been asserting since the inception of this highly questionable partnership,” Amlig Tubig said, noting that residents have endured “erratic water supply, unmet service commitments, and broken infrastructure promises” under the JVA.

The group cited multiple violations of the JVA by PrimeWater, including failure to provide 24/7 service, non-compliance with capital expenditure commitments of Php200 million within the first five years and Php1.6 billion in infrastructure investments – with only Php130 million reportedly delivered to date — centralized decision-making causing delays, and millions of pesos in arrears to BBWI.

“If BACIWA’s own leadership now concedes that the JVA is not worth continuing, there is no moral, legal, or practical reason to allow this failed partnership to persist,” Amlig Tubig stressed, calling for its immediate review, rescission, and legal nullification.

BAYAN–Negros also joined the call, linking the water crisis to what it described as “bureaucrat capitalism” and the control of vital public utilities by political dynasties.

“PrimeWater is part of the Villar business empire, which has entrenched itself in water districts nationwide through privatization deals sanctioned by corrupt government officials,” said Noli Rosales, BAYAN–Negros spokesperson.

Rosales said the PrimeWater–BACIWA deal “is not an isolated case but part of a nationwide pattern where private corporations extract profit from public utilities while delivering substandard and unsafe services.”

He cited ongoing campaigns in other provinces and cities to terminate PrimeWater contracts, urging Bacolod to “join this nationwide movement to hold the Villars and their government backers accountable.”

“Water is a basic right, not a business venture for billionaires and politicians. Every day this deal continues, it’s the people who pay the price: financially, physically, and in their dignity,” Rosales said.

Gasataya said he has no plans to conduct further investigations into the matter, stressing that any lapses by PrimeWater should be addressed in the proper forum. He added his priority is to ensure Bacolod residents do not lose their water supply.