Hindi dapat gawing daan ng pamilya Villar ang pagbebenta ng PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp. sa Lucio Co Group upang takasan ang pananagutan sa taon-taong mababang kalidad ng serbisyo sa tubig na nagdulot ng matinding paghihirap sa daan-daan libong consumer, ayon kay dating Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Isagani Zarate
“The Villars cannot simply wash their hands clean by selling PrimeWater. They must be held accountable for the years of dirty water, exorbitant rates, and abysmal service that communities endured under their watch. This sale should not be a get-out-of-jail-free card,” pahayag ni Zarate.
Tinukoy ni Zarate na ang pagbebenta ay nangyari sa gitna ng lumalakas na galit ng publiko at mga imbestigasyon ng pamahalaan sa operasyon ng PrimeWater, na tila isang estratehikong hakbang upang makaiwas sa masusing pagsusuri at posibleng pananagutang legal.
“This appears to be a convenient exit strategy. Just when the heat is on, just when communities like San Jose del Monte are demanding termination of contracts, just when President Marcos ordered an investigation—suddenly the Villars find a buyer. This timing is too convenient to be coincidental,”* ani ng dating mambabatas.
Binigyang-diin ni Zarate na anumang imbestigasyon sa mga pagkukulang ng PrimeWater ay dapat isama ang papel at pananagutan ng pamilya Villar sa panahon ng kanilang pagmamay-ari at pamamahala sa kumpanya.
“We demand a full accounting of the Villars’ stewardship of PrimeWater. How much profit did they extract while providing substandard service? Why were communities forced to endure dirty water and irregular supply for years? These questions must be answered, sale or no sale,”* giit ni Zarate.
Nagbabala rin siya laban sa posibilidad na ipagpatuloy ng bagong may-ari ang parehong palpak na modelo ng pribatisasyon na nagresulta sa masahol na serbisyo ng PrimeWater.
“The Co Group may have deep pockets and business acumen, but we must ensure they should not repeat the same mistakes and demand the return of water services to public hands where they belong,”* dagdag ni Zarate.
Nanawagan ang dating kongresista sa mga apektadong komunidad at consumer groups na manatiling mapagbantay at ipagpatuloy ang panawagan para sa hustisyang pangkonsumer at pananagutan.
“Do not be distracted by this corporate reshuffling. The fight for clean, affordable, and reliable water service continues. The Villars must answer for their failures, and the new owners must be put on notice that Filipinos will not tolerate another round of exploitation in the name of profit,”* pagtatapos ni Zarate. (ROSE NOVENARIO)