San Jose del Monte City in Bulacan has officially tapped Metro Pacific Water (MPW) as its new water service operator, marking a major shift in the city’s efforts to address long-standing water supply issues affecting thousands of households.
The transition comes after months of water crises that gripped over 40,000 families across Bulacan province. The previous private operator, PrimeWater, had been the subject of numerous complaints from residents who reported inconsistent supply, poor water quality, and unreliable service.
The San Jose del Monte local government unit (LGU) eventually took control of the water district after continued service failures from PrimeWater, declaring a state of calamity to expedite emergency measures. The LGU’s intervention was widely seen as a necessary step to protect the welfare of residents who had endured months without reliable access to clean water.
With Metro Pacific Water now stepping in, city officials are hopeful that the situation will improve significantly. MPW, part of the Metro Pacific Investments Corporation group, brings experience from managing water utilities across the Philippines and has committed to investing in infrastructure upgrades for the city.
The water crisis in San Jose del Monte highlighted the growing challenges faced by rapidly urbanizing cities in the Greater Manila area. As one of the most populous cities in Bulacan, San Jose del Monte’s population growth has consistently outpaced the development of essential utilities and infrastructure.
Residents have been advised to stay updated on announcements from the city government regarding the transition timeline and any temporary service adjustments during the handover period.
This development follows similar moves by other Bulacan LGUs to take greater control of essential services as the province continues to experience rapid growth and urbanization.
Story sourced from Philippine News Agency and Rappler reports.