Makabayan Senatorial candidate Danilo Ramos today welcomed the initial move to terminate the Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) between San Jose Water District (SJWD) and Prime Water Infrastructure Corp., denouncing the Villar family-owned company for years of substandard, and profit-driven water service that has severely burdened residents across the country.

“The people of San Jose del Monte City in Bulacan are rising up to reclaim their right to clean, accessible water. This is a historic first step in the broader fight to free our communities from the stranglehold of the Villar political-business dynasty,” KMP chairperson Ramos said.

The Letter of Intent sent by SJWD’s Board of Directors to the San Jose del Monte Mayor marks the beginning of the end for PrimeWater in the city—an outcome strongly backed by Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Bulacan (AMB-Bulacan), Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), and various people’s organizations.

In a recent development, Bulacan Gov. Daniel Fernando has proposed the revocation of JVAs entered by water districts in the province affected by the “poor service” of PrimeWater. Residents are complaining lack of water supply in the towns of Calumpit, Malolos City, Marilao and San Jose del Monte City. The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board) of Bulacan will decide on the matter.

Ramos also slammed PrimeWater for being a “corporate parasite” feeding off essential public services. “Their business model is clear: increase rates, lower service, and silence complaints while they rake in obscene profits. This is privatization at its worst—run by a political dynasty cloaked in business suits.”

“Ang pribatisasyon ng tubig ay pagkakamaling paulit-ulit nating pinagbabayaran. Dapat nang putulin ang matagal nang pagkakasakal ng mga negosyante sa batayang serbisyo,” Ramos stressed. “We must dismantle the Villar dynasty’s grip on our water utilities and hold them accountable.”

Ramos called on Congress and local governments nationwide to review and revoke all JVAs with Prime Water and similar entities. He also urged for the full return of water services to government and community-based control, echoing the demands of grassroots organizations.

The peasant leader also pointed to mounting complaints against Prime Water in other areas, including Bacolod, Batangas, Rizal, and Iloilo, where residents continue to suffer from dirty water, rising prices, and a lack of infrastructure development.

Despite these issues, Prime Water’s net profits ballooned from Php196 million in 2017 to Php1.8 billion in 2023, confirming what Ramos called a “massive profiteering scheme built on the backs of suffering Filipinos.”

Ramos also did not mince words in calling on the public to reject Villar heiress and Deputy Speaker Camille Villar, who is widely expected to run for higher office in 2025.

“Behind the fake smiles and PR stunts lies a dynasty that has turned water, housing, and land into profit machines. The Villars have shown time and again that they serve private gain over public welfare,” Ramos said.

“Camille Villar is not just a politician—she is the face of a family empire that sees our basic needs as revenue streams. We must send a clear message this elections: No to political dynasties, no to corporate rule over public utilities.”

Ramos and allied groups are calling for the following: immediate cancellation of all JVAs with Prime Water across the country; re-nationalization of water services; legislation banning the privatization of water and other public utilities; and accountability for officials and businessmen behind exploitative contracts. ###