President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has given his approval to the recommendations submitted by the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) following its report on PrimeWater, the Palace confirmed Wednesday.
However, officials said the administration is withholding public disclosure of the proposed government actions pending further internal preparations.
In a Palace press briefing, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said the President “personally studied” the LWUA report after it was submitted to the Office of the President and affirmed the agency’s proposals.
“Yes, the President has already studied the report from the LWUA, and he himself studied it. And he has approved the recommendation to him,” Castro told reporters.
While acknowledging the urgency of the water supply situation, Castro emphasized that it was not yet the “right time” to disclose the report’s contents or specific steps being planned.
“We need to take action first. Now is not the right time to reveal what the government should do for the victims of water supply shortages,” she said.
Asked whether the President had already issued immediate marching orders to LWUA or other relevant government agencies, Castro reiterated the Palace’s position that all details will be made public once actions are set in motion.
“When we are given the opportunity to provide details on whatever the government will do for faster action for the victims of water supply shortage, I will share it with you,” she said.
The LWUA report, which was completed after an internal probe into the worsening water availability in several parts of the country, reportedly outlines both immediate and long-term measures to address the supply gap.
However, the Palace has not provided a timeline for when the report’s findings or Marcos’ directives will be made public.
Despite the Palace’s withholding of specifics, Castro assured the public that the matter is being treated with urgency at the highest levels of government.
“Rest assured that once all the mechanisms are in place, we will inform the public of the exact steps being taken,” she said.
