Community over troubled water: impact of private-sector involvement in the water supply of St. Martha Estate Homes, Barangay Batia, Bocaue, Bulacan

Abstract

In response to the problem of fiscal constraints, the government has resorted to dependence on the private sector involvement in the provision and management of basic social services. Subject to extensive participation of the private sector are off-city relocation sites which are under the socialized housing scheme of the government in cooperation with the private sector. Being located off-city, these relocation sites are situated in the outer reaches of the metro which have been disadvantageous to the poor due to the absence of basic social services such as water that is a birthright of every citizen. A case in point that this study would tackle would be the condition of water supply in St. Martha Estate Homes in Barangay Batia Bocuae, Bulacan that is privately operated by Centennial Water Resource Venture Corporation. The provision of water in the community has been criticized due to the quality of water supplied that is allegedly non-potable and contaminated. This study would delve on the performance of the private operator Centennial Water Resource Venture Corporation in its provision of water supply and sanitation services in the community, and would assess its impact on the health of the residents. A brief history and interplay of the public and private partnership will also be discussed in the research as an imperative to the understanding of the involvement of the private sector in the Philippines.