00:01A consumer network in La Union expresses dismay over a court ruling granting the Villar-owned Prime Water a protection order.
00:08The order allows the company to retain full control of water operations in San Fernando City and neighboring towns in La Union.
00:15In a statement Wednesday, June 25, the Water for the People Network La Union called a regional trial court decision in San Fernando unacceptable and a setback for consumers in the province.
00:25The group cites what it described as Prime Water's quote-unquote incompetence and failure to meet its obligations under a 2016 joint venture agreement with the Metro San Fernando Water District or MSFWD.
00:36The agreement covers San Fernando City in the towns of Bawang, Bacnotan, San Juan, and San Gabriel in La Union.
00:43MSFWD terminated the agreement on May 8 and assumed control of operations the following day.
00:48It says Prime Water failed to meet its commitment to increase daily water production to 28.3 million liters by 2021.
00:56Prime Water's service is plagued by weak water pressure, reduced service hours, and widespread disruptions affecting thousands of residents.
