San Jose del Monte's local government unit in Bulacan took control of the city water district on May 5, 2026, amid ongoing service failures by PrimeWater. City Administrator Rizaldy Mendoza called it the 'only option' after silence from the company and its new owner, Crystal Bridges. The takeover lasts one year to address the crisis.
On May 5, 2026, San Jose del Monte (SJDM) City Government officials served a takeover notice to the SJDM Water District and PrimeWater. This followed a March 2026 state of calamity declaration over water interruptions affecting 62 barangays and 25% of households, authorized by City Ordinance No. 2026-03-012.
At a press conference, City Administrator Rizaldy Mendoza stated, "From the rank-and-file of the utility up to the president of PrimeWater — we talked to them all... It’s 2026 now, still nothing. So the government takeover is the only option that we have." He noted no communication from PrimeWater even after the joint venture agreement ended in November 2025, and the ownership shift to Lucio Co's Crystal Bridges was learned via news reports.
The takeover grants the LGU control over water supply and wastewater facilities and assets, allowing an interim operator for priority projects. Of the P6.8 billion pledged under the JVA, only P748 million was spent on infrastructure. PrimeWater officials received the notice professionally with objections but no resistance, Mendoza said.
As of publishing, PrimeWater had not responded to requests for comment.
