Two Regional Trial Courts—one in Bulacan and another in Las Piñas—have dismissed separate requests from PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp. for a temporary restraining order and injunction against the San Jose del Monte (SJDM) city government. The rulings uphold the local government’s right to step in and manage water services temporarily alongside the SJDM Water District amid a severe supply crisis.
In its May 26 decision, the Bulacan court said PrimeWater failed to show urgency or legal right to stop the city’s intervention. It noted that public welfare comes before contract terms, especially since the company itself admitted receiving thousands of complaints over shortages. While PrimeWater claimed only 10,000 to 12,000 customers were affected, the city reported over 47,000 households—about 250,000 residents across 62 villages—facing poor service. The court added the city’s action was legally backed by a local ordinance and provincial resolution, both valid until overturned.
After the first case was dismissed, PrimeWater filed a similar petition in Las Piñas, where its main office is based, but that court also rejected the request on June 2. It ruled the company could not prove it suffered serious harm, nor that it had reliably fulfilled its duty to deliver water.
SJDM Mayor Florida Robes welcomed the outcome, saying it confirms the local government’s authority to protect residents. She pointed out that PrimeWater had completed only about P748 million in projects out of the P6.8 billion it pledged, leaving the city with enough available water but lacking infrastructure to distribute it properly.
With the legal challenges cleared, the city will continue searching for a new service provider. It is already in talks with potential interim operators including Maynilad, Manila Water, Crystal Bridges, Metro Pacific Water, and Hanabana Water. The selection for a temporary partner will be handled separately from the search for a long-term concessionaire, with the goal of quickly upgrading systems and improving supply for all residents.
This ruling sets a clear example that local governments may intervene in utility services when contracts fail to deliver basic needs and public health or welfare is at risk. It also paves the way for urgent upgrades in SJDM, where available water remains unused due to poor infrastructure.
