CinemaBravo

Complaints have flooded social media against PrimeWater, a water utility company owned by the Villar family, with customers raising concerns about frequent service interruptions, unreliable water supply, and unsatisfactory customer service.

One particular post on X (formerly Twitter) caught attention, where user Nash Nacion criticized senatorial aspirant Camille Villar, referencing her campaign promise to improve the lives of Filipinos.

“Eto namang si Camille Villar: Aayusin daw ang buhay ng mga Pilipino. Teh, ayusin mo muna PrimeWater. Kaloka.”

(Camille Villar says she wants to improve the lives of Filipinos. Girl, fix PrimeWater first. Ridiculous.)

Camille Villar is the sister of Manuel Paolo Villar, the owner of PrimeWater.

Following Nacion’s post, more customers from various provinces—including Cavite, Tarlac, Camarines Norte, Laguna, and Bulacan—voiced their frustrations online. Many shared their ongoing struggles with the company’s inability to deliver clean and consistent water supply to their communities.

“Hanggang kelan magbubulag-bulagan ang karamihan sa totoong nangyayari dito sa SJDM. Pinapaasa lang tayo sa wala. Dati naniniwala pa ko na ginagawan ng solusyon ang problema sa PrimeWater, pero ngayon lalo at kapartido pa nila si Camille Villar mukhang imposible na. Bago namin ang iboto baka sakaling may mabago,” said a consumer from San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.

(How long will most people turn a blind eye to what’s really happening here in SJDM? We’re being led on with false promises. I used to believe they were working on a solution to the PrimeWater problem, but now that Camille Villar is allied with them, it seems impossible. Before we vote, maybe something should change.)

“Umamin kayo PrimeWater Silang, kaya ba ayaw nyong aksyunan ang matinong pag papatubig kasi gagamitin ni Camille Villar ang pondo para sa pangangampanya?! Asa kayo na makakakuha ng boto yang si Camille Villar sa mga customers nyo! To all Prime Water customers: NO TO CAMILLE VILLAR tayo ha!” another consumer from Cavite added.

(Admit it, PrimeWater Silang—is the reason you’re not fixing the water service because Camille Villar will use the funds for her campaign?! You really think Camille Villar will get votes from your customers? To all PrimeWater customers: let’s say NO TO CAMILLE VILLAR!)

Several consumers noted that the services of their water districts were more reliable before PrimeWater took over. In several areas, residents complained of having no water for days or even weeks, with no clear explanation or solution from the company.

“Pakiaksyunan niyo nmn po problem sa tubig dito sa Tarlac. Antagal po umaksyon sa TCWD PrimeWater Tarlac City. Pahirap tapos wala man lang kahit anong solusyon. Mahigit isang linggo na kaming walang tubig sa San Vicente Ramos Street,” a resident posted.

(Please act on the water problem here in Tarlac. It takes forever for TCWD PrimeWater Tarlac City to respond. It’s been difficult, and they haven’t offered any solutions. We’ve been without water for over a week on San Vicente Ramos Street.)

The local governments of Bacolod City and San Pedro, Laguna, are said to be considering terminating their joint venture agreements with PrimeWater due to the company’s failure to address the water needs of their citizens.

Other local government units are also expected to review their agreements with PrimeWater after the net income of their water districts declined significantly since they allowed the company to take over their respective operations.

[Photos from City of San Jose del Monte Public Information Office]