Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya has issued a direct call for PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp. to significantly enhance its water distribution services to residents. This demand comes amidst a major corporate takeover and recent threats to the city's bulk water supply.
Ownership Change and Looming Supply Disconnection
The urgency of the situation escalated following two critical announcements. First, the Villar Group confirmed on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, that Crystal Bridges Holding Corp., owned by tycoon Lucio Co, will acquire 100 percent of PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp.
Second, and more immediately pressing, Bacolod Bulk Water Inc. (BBWI) warned it would cut off supply to PrimeWater if the distributor failed to settle its outstanding obligations. BBWI is the largest bulk water supplier for PrimeWater in Bacolod.
Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa) Chairperson, lawyer Sonia Verdeflor, labeled this an emergency situation. She revealed that PrimeWater had not paid its bulk water supplier since September 2025.
Mayor Gasataya Puts Responsibility on Baciwa
In a statement on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, Mayor Gasataya emphasized that the primary focus must be on improving water services for Bacolodnons. He clarified that the 25-year joint venture agreement is directly between Baciwa and PrimeWater, signed in 2020.
"It is up to Baciwa to impose penalties on PrimeWater for failing to comply with the agreement," the Mayor stated. He also disclosed that Baciwa should act on violations committed by PrimeWater dating back to March 2025.
Gasataya indicated that the city will await the new management under Crystal Bridges to initiate discussions with Baciwa officials. "Once they take over the management, we will sit down to address the problem here," he added.
Resolution and Path Forward
A temporary reprieve came on Saturday, December 13, 2025, when the Villar-owned PrimeWater settled its outstanding obligations for bulk water supply. This payment likely averted the immediate disconnection threat from BBWI.
However, the core issue of service quality and contractual compliance remains. The upcoming transition to Crystal Bridges ownership presents a pivotal moment for Bacolod's water security. All eyes are now on Baciwa to enforce the joint venture agreement and on the new owners to present a concrete plan to upgrade the city's water infrastructure and reliability.
