Tayabenses slam Prime Water for service woes

by Brian Zagala October 5, 2019 Photo by Daniel Higote  TAYABAS CITY -Various groups from Tayabas, led by Lovely Meadows Calmar Ho...

by Brian Zagala
October 5, 2019

Photo by Daniel Higote 

TAYABAS CITY -Various groups from Tayabas, led by Lovely Meadows Calmar Homeowners Association successfully conducted a black shirt protest and noise barrages against Prime Water due to the continuing water service interruptions in the city on Wednesday, October 2.

Civic, youth groups from Lucena, Pagbilao and Tayabas also joined the protest to manifest their opposition to the joint venture agreement between Quezon Metropolitan Water District and Prime Water (QMWD).

During the program, Tayabas City Councilor Julius Luces demanded Prime Water explain the service interruptions because the consumers deserve to know what is going on.

“Ito pong pagpunta natin dito sa Prime Water, ay naiintindihan ko po at aaminin ko po ang katotohanan, hindi po ito agad ang solusyon, pero nakuha po natin ang inyong mga lagda at perma, at ito po ay dadalhin natin sa ating kataas-taasan,” Luces said.

The Tayabenses at the said rally chanted “Serbisyo sa Tao, Huwag gawing Negosyo (Service for the people, not for profit),” echoing a slogan of Anakbayan protesters.

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“Ang mga tauhan ng Prime Water ay parang mga robot na kung hindi sususian ay hindi gagalaw, mga manhid!” Tayabas water consumer, Germelina Villaverde said.

In 2018, Quezon Metropolitan Water District (QMWD) formerly Lucena-Pagbilao-Tayabas Water District (LUPATA) entered into a 25-year joint venture agreement with Prime Water, a private company owned by the Manny Villar.

Tayabas City Mayor Ernida Reynoso also arrived in front of Prime Water. She re-affirmed that she has not forgotten her commitment to solving Tayabas’ water problem. She said that her office already created Tayabas Water Council, a special task force responsible for the negotiations and studies of potential water reservoirs in the city.

“Hindi po tayo nagpapabaya, kayo po ay hindi pa ganitong nagra-rally humigit kumulang dalawang taon [na ang lumipas], nagbudget ako ng 40 million para sa reservoir. Kaya nga po sinasabi natin na hindi po tayo tumitigil, yun pong sinasabi na ngayon lang [kumikilos], hindi po, dalawang taon na po yan, at eto na nga po nag-induction na tayo dahil hindi ko po kaya na ako lang ang gagawa, kaya po meron tayong Tayabas Water Council, sila po’y nasa labinlimang tao na nag-aaral dito,” the lady mayor said.

Protesters gathered outside Prime Water have peacefully dispersed after the program.

“Nakakatuwang makitang nagsama-sama ang mga Tayabasin na idulog at ipaalam sa Prime Water ang walang kwentang serbisyo nila. Subalit walang malinaw na sagot ang pamunuan kung paano maibabalik sa dati ang suplay ng tubig,” Tayabas water consumer, Conrado Juntereal said in a Facebook post.