The Bacolod City Council has invited executives from the Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa) and Hiraya Water Corporation to attend a legislative committee conference following the company’s recent acquisition of PrimeWater Infrastructure Corporation as the local water service utility.
Councilor Wilson Gamboa Jr. authored the resolution approved during Wednesday’s regular session, requesting representatives from both firms to meet with the committee on energy and public utilities, chaired by Councilor Bobby Rojas, to detail the corporate buyout and present operational roadmaps to upgrade the city’s utility services.
“There is no need to send a letter. They will just be furnished a copy of the resolution and informed of the scheduled committee conference,” Gamboa said in an interview with the Philippine News Agency.
Public speculation grew on August 4 when PrimeWater Bacolod City updated its official social media branding to reflect Hiraya Water Corporation Bacolod City.
Hiraya Water took control of the utility following a 100-percent buyout of PrimeWater Infrastructure Corporation—previously linked to the family of former Senate President Manny Villar—by business tycoon Lucio Co’s Crystal Bridges Holding Corporation late last year.
“The public deserves to know what does the sale of PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp. mean for Bacolod consumers,” Gamboa emphasized.
Gamboa added that residents require full transparency regarding future operational measures aimed at restoring water safety, boosting service availability, and resolving recurring distribution efficiency problems across the city.
The leadership transition comes after years of persistent public complaints against PrimeWater regarding severe service disruptions, poor water quality—frequently described as “dark, smelly, and contaminated”—and unresolved financial accountability concerns.
Local consumer rights advocacy groups continue to press city officials and the incoming provider for immediate, concrete infrastructure overhauls.