By HENRY EMPEÑO | June 10, 2026

SUBIC, Zambales — A month after the local government unit of Subic, Zambales declared a water emergency in the municipality, local water utility operator PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp. committed to undertake infrastructure upgrades to solve long-standing water supply problems here.

In a media conference on Tuesday, June 9, PrimeWater president Jose Paulino L. Santamarina acknowledged issues on water service but assured local officials that a new management team will undertake measures to upgrade the system and deliver better service.

“We recognize the difficulties these challenges have caused for households, businesses and the community. We understand that there have been lapses in the past, and we are committed to rectifying the situation at the soonest possible time,” said Santamarina.

Santamarina, a key executive in the corporate network of Puregold retail tycoon Lucio Co, took over the lead role at PrimeWater following the 100-percent acquisition of the company by Co’s investment vehicle Crystal Bridges Holdings Corp. from the Villar family’s Private Asset Ventures, Inc. in December last year.

Under Santamarina, the new PrimeWater management said it will develop three additional deep-well stations to improve water supply, replace aging pipelines to reduce leaks and improve distribution efficiency, and procure standby pumps and motors for faster response during equipment failures.

Engr. Lanie Quinto, the firm’s operations head, said the company has surveyed new deep-well sources at barangays Pamatawan, Naugsol, and Mangalamban.  These will augment water supply, especially during dry spells when water level declines at the Mangalambam River, the primary water source for Subic.

Quinto said construction of the first deep-well facility is scheduled to begin this month at Pamatawan, with the three deep-well stations targeted for completion before the yearend.

The additional sources are expected to improve water supply in several areas, including Pamatawan, Ilwas, Baraca-Camachile, Wawandue, Calapandayan, Asinan Poblacion and Asinan Proper, which have experienced recurring low water pressure and intermittent supply.

Company officials also said the replacement of old pipes, particularly in Barangay Calapandayan, will further reduce water losses. They pointed out that existing pipes have become increasingly difficult to maintain following road repair and elevation projects in said area.

In the same media briefing, Mayor Jonathan Khonghun and Zambales First District Representative Jay Khonghun strongly expressed the need for fast action by PrimeWater.

“We are suffering. We need immediate long-term solutions,” said Mayor Khonghun said.

“Our constituents deserve more than promises—they deserve results,” Congressman Khonghun added.

On May 11, Mayor Khonghun declared a state of water emergency in Subic, citing “recurring, prolonged, and widespread inadequacy and disruption of water services” in the municipality amid inadequate and unreliable water services by PrimeWater.

Through Executive Order No. 17, Khonghun also asked the town council to undertake a comprehensive inquiry on PrimeWater services, and constitute a technical working group “to support the necessary takeover by the local government” of PrimeWater’s water facilities and operations in Subic.

Following PrimeWater’s assurance to deliver better service, Subic Water District (SWD) manager Jose Dinulong expressed cautious optimism, noting that while SWD is open to working with the new management, it is prepared to pursue legal remedies should commitments fail to materialize.

PrimeWater gained operational control of SWD’s P147-million water facilities through a joint venture agreement (JVA) in 2018. While PrimeWater gained exclusive use of facilities, SWD retained strategic control over business policies, plans and programs, as well as tariffs, and also monitors PrimeWater performance to determine compliance with targets. ▲