CITY OF SAN JOSE DEL MONTE, Bulacan — A severe water crisis has forced local officials to declare a state of calamity in this city, with more than 40,000 households (approximately 250,000 people) currently suffering from dry taps or extremely limited water supply.
The calamity declaration, approved on February 25, 2026, highlights a breakdown in water service delivery affecting 47,611 households across most of the city’s 62 villages.
- Service Interruptions: According to situational reports, interruptions range from a few hours to entire days. In some areas, water is only available during the “wee hours,” while others have had no supply for weeks.
- Hardest Hit: The community of Tungkong Mangga has been identified as the area most severely affected by the shortage.
Mayor Florida Robes and City Administrator Rizaldy Mendoza pointed to the poor performance of PrimeWater, the joint venture partner of the San Jose del Monte Water District.
- Contract Termination: Mendoza revealed that the local water district has already terminated its contract with PrimeWater due to multiple violations.
- Permit Denied: The city government has also refused to renew the company’s permit to operate, citing a failure to improve services despite previous promises.
With the state of calamity in effect, the city is ramping up emergency measures:
- Water Rationing: Currently, 13 delivery trucks (9 government-owned, 4 private) are making rounds to provide potable water to starved communities.
- New Procurement: The declaration allows for the expedited purchase of six additional water trucks to expand rationing efforts.
- PrimeWater’s Stance: Local branch manager Lester Santos stated that they are waiting for an official statement from their head office regarding the situation.