Courts reject PrimeWater bid to block LGU water takeover

TWO regional trial courts have dismissed pleas filed by PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp. seeking to stop the San Jose del Monte City government in Bulacan from taking over local water operations.

The trial courts in Bulacan and Las Piñas separately denied PrimeWater’s requests for a 72-hour temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against the takeover, the local government unit (LGU) said in a statement on Wednesday.

The cases stemmed from the city government’s notice last month announcing it would assume control of water supply operations previously handled by PrimeWater and the city’s water district.

The water district earlier terminated its 25-year joint venture agreement with PrimeWater, citing inadequate and inconsistent water service.

In its petition before the Bulacan court, PrimeWater argued that the takeover would harm consumers and prevent it from completing water system projects, while also causing financial losses.

The court rejected the plea, saying the company has failed to show a clear violation of legal rights or demonstrate irreparable harm.

After the Bulacan ruling, PrimeWater filed a similar petition in Las Piñas, where its main office is based. The court also dismissed the case in a decision dated June 2.

“The plaintiff in this case was not able to prove all requisites for the issuance of a temporary restraining order,” according to a copy of the Las Piñas court order provided by San Jose del Monte City. “It failed to show any grave irreparable injury unto its company.”

San Jose del Monte Mayor Florida P. Robes said the rulings would allow the local government to proceed with efforts to improve water services.

“This affirms the authority of the local government to act to protect the general welfare” she said in the statement. “Our people have waited long enough, and we will not allow legal maneuvers to delay urgent action.”

A PrimeWater spokesperson did not immediately reply to an e-mail seeking comment.

PrimeWater serves more than 1.7 million households and supplies about 500 million liters of water daily across more than 100 water districts nationwide, including in Bulacan, Batangas and Laguna.

In December last year, the Villar group announced plans to sell PrimeWater to Lucio L. Co-led Crystal Bridges Holdings Corp. following the signing of definitive agreements. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera