#MakeBulacanLiveable: Residents share woes they want addressed by local bets ahead of elections

MANILA, Philippines – For a province that has been constantly mired with floods, it is ironic that most Bulakenyos find the lack of water services one of their most pressing needs.

During a community chat in the Rappler Communities app on Friday, April 25, residents shared their communities’ important issues. 

‘Crimewater’

Most Bulacan residents expressed their frustrations over poor water service after their local water district entered a joint venture with Villar-owned Prime Water. (READ: Since Villars’ PrimeWater took over, Bulacan residents suffering for years)

“May mga barangay pa na minsan kulay putik ang lumalabas na tubig sa gripo, and worse ay minsan may amoy pa. Pero madalas po talaga nawawalan ng tubig, actually walang tubig dito sa amin right now sa San Rafael,” Yuan Dela Cruz shared.

(There are still barangays where sometimes the water coming out of the tap is muddy, and worse, it smells bad. We often don’t have water, actually we have no water here right now in San Rafael.)

To add insult to injury, Bulacan residents also raised how politicians are using the province’s water issue to further their political ambition. “Nakakalungkot na ‘yung ginagawang pagra-rasyon ng tubig sa mga barangay na walang tubig ay pinupulitika pa. Ito ay trabaho ng LGU na mag-supply ng tubig sa mga walang access nito at hindi ito dapat gamitin para magka-utang na loob sa kanila ang mga community members! Tapos ‘yung rasyon naman, hindi regular,” Paolo Ordonio said in the chat.

(It is sad that water rationing being done in barangays is being politicized. It is the job of the LGU to supply water to those who do not have access to it and it should not be used to make community members indebted to them!)

Some chat members noted how tanks used for water rationing are plastered with faces and names of politicians, as seen from a post from San Jose Del Monte PIO.

People have been protesting against the years-long water crisis in their communities, but according to Bulacan residents, they were met with silence, with local government officials unable to make Prime Water do better with its customers. Rappler app user @ron_asni highlighted, “Seems like ‘di nila kayang kastiguhin, poor service na nga, mahigpit pa pagdating sa singilan. Ma-late ka lang, may penalty na, even worst puputulin nila.”

(It seems like the government can’t make them accountable, aside from the poor service, they’re also strict when it comes to charges. If you pay late, there’s a penalty, even worse, they’ll cut your connection.)

User @mjayra_16 adds, “Until now, water supply is still a problem in some barangays. Why does it seem like there is no urgency in resolving this?”

Recently, a coalition of residents started a campaign to terminate the joint venture with PrimeWater and stop Las Piñas Representative Camille Villar from being elected to the Senate. (READ: Bulacan residents mount campaign vs Camille Villar and PrimeWater)

San Jose del Monte City Representative Rida Robes, who is running for mayor to replace her husband Arthur, promised she will call for a review of the joint venture between PrimeWater and the San Jose del Monte City Water District in Bulacan. It was under Mayor Arthur Robes when the deal was signed in 2018.

“Magsasagawa tayo ng isang buo at tapat na review ng kasunduang ito — mula sa nilalaman hanggang sa implementasyon. Hindi ito tungkol sa pulitika, kundi sa performance at pananagutan,” Robes said in a statement.

(We will conduct a full and honest review of this agreement — from content to implementation. This is not about politics, but about performance and accountability.)

LF: Flood control projects

Rappler chat member Mary Angela Araullo shared a friend’s experience as a Hagonoy resident, noting how the government seems to focus on band-aid solutions, like raising roads, instead of building better flood control systems. “Nilulubog lang nito ‘yung mga bahay na nasa mabababang lugar. ‘Yung iba pinipili nalang lumipat. Allegedly, there were even cases of abandoned houses— siguro dahil sobra na ang pagiging bahain.”

(“They only submerge houses in low-lying areas. Others are choosing to move. Allegedly, there were even cases of abandoned houses—perhaps because of the flooding.)

Numb to the usual floodwater that does not subside even after calamities, students are forced to improvise ways on how to go to schools. “Kailangan pa nilang magbayad ng malaki para lang makapasok sa pamantasan. At least the university is considerate enough for the uniforms, pero hirap naman in adjusting financially,” Araullo added.

(Students have to pay a lot just to attend classes. At least the university is considerate enough for the uniforms, but it’s hard to adjust financially.)

Aside from displacing communities in Bulakan, residents also suspect Ramon Ang’s Airport City has exacerbated flooding in the province. The province, which acts as a catch basin, has always been prone to flooding, either due to typhoons or monsoon rain. It does not help that there are a number of dams near Bulacan, which aggravates flooding when these are forced to release water. (READ: Aerotropolis heightens disaster risks for Bulacan communities) 

Lubakan sa Bulacan

Residents also lamented poor infrastructure projects in the province. One chat member shared that the roads were in such an abysmal state that the residents have called Bulacan “lubakan,” much to the dismay of their governor. 

Other users testified how poor roads combined with traffic has affected them. “Sa sobrang hirap ng transportation napilitan po ako mag rent ng nearby apartment from my work. Mahal at nakakapagod po magbalikan,” Amarie De Jesus shared.

(Because it’s difficult to commute, I was forced to rent a nearby apartment from my work. It was expensive and tiring to go back.)

Many pointed out how the slow, stalled construction of the MRT7 line has worsened congestion, which is another Ramon Ang-led project. San Miguel promised that by next year, commuters would be able to use the line which will connects Bulacan to Metro Manila. (READ: MRT7 trains to be tested soon, full operations eyed by 2026)

What issues should local candidates address in your community? Share your thoughts in the liveable cities chat room of the Rappler Communities app. – Rappler.com