SJDM residents praise LGU action on water crisis
Residents and barangay leaders of San Jose del Monte City are hailing the local government, led by Mayor Arthur Robes and Rep. Florida “Rida” Robes, for their decisive and sustained efforts to address the long-standing water supply crisis in the city.
Association of Barangay Chairmen (ABC) President Zosimo Lorenzo expressed deep gratitude.
“We are very thankful to Mayor Art, Cong Rida, and the city government for standing with us. They never turned their backs on the people. Because of their actions, the right of every San Joseño to clean and sufficient water is slowly being fulfilled,” said Lorenzo.
On April 10, 2025, the San Jose Water Board formally notified Mayor Robes of its passage of Resolution No. 15, Series of 2025, authorizing the issuance of a notice of intent to terminate its joint venture with the company supplying water to the city..
The matter has been elevated to the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel for legal action.
Residents pointed to years of mounting pressure and concrete actions by the LGU as key factors behind the decision, dating back to 2019 when reports of poor water pressure, intermittent supply, and contaminated water first surged.
Among the LGU’s significant initiatives:
2019: City Council resolutions urged MWSS to reassess reduced allocations and demanded waivers of minimum fees for affected households, while water rations were dispatched to severely affected areas.
2020–2021: The LGU pressed the water company for transparency on its investment plans and billing practices.
2022: The Robeses led the city’s first Water Summit, while Representative Robes filed House Bill 3788 to push for a Department of Water Resources.
2023–2024: An investigative committee was formed by the Sangguniang Panlungsod to scrutinize the water supplier’s performance.
2025: Emergency measures such as the “Tawid Uhaw” project and bulk water distribution programs were intensified.
Representative Robes further championed structural reform through House Bill No. 1495, the proposed Domestic Water Supply Act, seeking to institutionalize national standards for water service delivery.
Mayor Robes emphasized that while water districts operate independently, the Local Government Code’s General Welfare Clause empowered the LGU to intervene for the public’s health and safety.
Barangay leaders said the pre-termination notice to the city’s water supplier signaled a turning point. “This is a victory long overdue. We raised our concerns for years, and finally, we are being heard,” said Liga ng mga Barangay Secretary Benjamin De Leon.
