Latest news with #MarkVillar
Filipino Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Filipino Times
Villar Seeks Senate Probe on Skyrocketing, Predatory Domestic Airfare Rates
Senator Mark Villar has filed a Senate resolution calling for an investigation into what he described as 'predatory' and excessively high pricing of domestic airline tickets in the Philippines. The senator raised concerns following a spike in complaints from the public over the steep cost of air travel within the country. Villar cited cases where ticket prices have risen dramatically in recent years. For example, a Manila to Siargao one-way ticket that cost P3,000 in 2017 is now priced at around P18,000. He also pointed to a recent instance where a two-person flight from Tacloban to Manila was charged at a shocking P77,720. He said such prices make domestic travel inaccessible for ordinary Filipinos, particularly those who travel for work or to reunite with their families. The senator noted the disparity between local and international fares, with round-trip tickets to countries like Hong Kong, Singapore, and Japan ranging from P10,000 to P30,000—often cheaper than some domestic routes. Villar emphasized that these pricing issues affect not only mobility but also tourism, commerce, and social cohesion across the archipelago. As the principal author of the Magna Carta of Commuters, Villar underscored that the inquiry is part of his advocacy for affordable, inclusive transportation. He has called for the Civil Aeronautics Board to be part of the investigation, urging the agency to review and potentially revise regulatory frameworks to ensure better pricing practices and consumer protection in the aviation sector.
GMA Network
05-07-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
Mark Villar denies hand in PrimeWater-LWUA deals as DPWH chief
Senator Mark Villar speaks at a hearing of the Senate Committee on Banks, Financial Institutions and Currencies hearing on January 16, 2024. Senate PRIB Senator Mark Villar on Saturday denied that he had any participation in joint venture agreements (JVAs) entered into by PrimeWater and other local water districts facilitated through the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), when it was still an attached agency of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) during his term as secretary. "I wish to take this opportunity to clarify that I have no direct or indirect ownership or controlling interest in Primewater," Villar said in a statement. "During my tenure as Secretary of Public Works, I did not participate in any capacity whatsoever in any transactions or potential transactions between Primewater and any of its partner districts. My focus then had been to implement our national goal of creating critical community infrastructure," the senator added. Villar was the chief of the DPWH from 2016 to 2021 during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte. Villar resigned from the post to seek a senatorial seat in Eleksyon 2022. PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp. is owned by the Villar family. The senator issued the statement after Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro reported that JVAs between PrimeWater and other local water districts increased in 2019, noting that the DPWH during that time was led by then-secretary Villar. Castro added that the Office of the President held a meeting Friday with the LWUA and the Office of The Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC) to discuss the current situation of PrimeWater consumers. Saying that his tenure in the DPWH was aligned with the goal of creating critical community infrastructure, Villar said, "I have full faith that my service record in those years would bear witness to that focus and commitment." LWUA Administrator Jose Moises Salonga earlier said the agency already finished its initial investigation into the complaints against PrimeWater JVAs, and that its findings and recommendations were already submitted to the office of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. Salonga had said the LWUA was previously an attached agency of DPWH, and the possible conflict may be linked to the previous officials of these offices. Marcos earlier ordered an investigation into the operations of PrimeWater due to numerous service-related complaints. Meanwhile, a resolution has been filed in the House of Representatives seeking an inquiry into the JVAs entered into by PrimeWater and local water districts. For its part, the water service provider had vowed to be open to any meaningful dialogue that would resolve concerns as it also affirmed it is committed to cooperating with LWUA. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
