RESOLUTION #11: A RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS STRONG SUPPORT TO THE ALLIANCE OF GOVERNMENT WORKERS IN THE WATER SECTOR (AGWWAS) OF THE PHILIPPINES IN ITS CAMPAIGN FOR QUALITY PUBLIC SERVICES AND PEOPLE OVER PROFIT THROUGH STANDING AGAINST THE PRIVATISATION OF LOCAL WATER DISTRICTS

The 15th Asia Pacific Regional Conference (APRECON) Meeting in Kathmandu, Nepal, 8 - 11 September 2025

PSI APRECON recognises the role of the trade unions in securing quality public services and ensuring people first over profit;

Notes the result of the study conducted by the Alliance of Government Workers in the Water Sector (AGWWAS) and PSI on the profiling of water districts in the Philippines;

Is alarmed at the result of the study where Joint Venture Agreements (JVAs) entered by local water districts with private corporations particularly the Prime Water Infrastructure Corporation continues to increase;

Is greatly concerned about the fact that Prime Water has secured more than 100 agreements with local water districts out of the 532 active water districts in the Philippines. These agreements involve large water districts or those with more than 30,000 consumers;

AGWWAS and PSI AP note the recent action of the Philippine government to look into the Joint Venture Agreements with Prime Water and to conduct an investigation thereof through the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA);

PSI AP recognises the adverse effects of the Joint Venture Agreements in terms of water service delivery affecting Quality Public Services.

PSI AP condemns the glaring high water rates which is anti-poor and goes against the United Nation’s Human Rights to Water and Sanitation which requires water to be affordable and available for all;

Fears that the loss of hard-earned benefits through collective negotiating agreements has significantly weakened labor unions, specifically AGWWAS affiliates. This decline threatens the stability of union affiliates, thus infringing upon workers' rights to form or join labor organizations which is enshrined in the Philippine Constitution;

Concerned that the excessive extraction of groundwater, resulting in a blend of saltwater and freshwater underground, has ultimately contaminated freshwater sources, infecting drinking water supply and rendering groundwater unsuitable for various uses;

Is greatly alarmed that the basic right of the public for consultation and inclusion under the mechanism of Integrated Water Resources Management has been critically ignored;

Thus, PSI AP calls on the Philippine government to end all Joint Venture Agreements entered into by local water districts with Prime Water Infrastructure Corporation and to hold the adverse effects of the Joint Venture Agreements against those responsible;

Stands with AGWWAS in its position to oppose and end all Joint Venture Agreements entered by local water districts with Prime Water Infrastructure Corporation; 

Exhorts the Philippine Government to end all Prime Water Infrastructure Corporation led Joint Venture Agreements and return local water districts to the public.

Submitted by Alliance of Government Workers in the Water Sector, AGWWAS