ILOILO City – To ensure a stable and sustainable water supply for residents and thriving businesses, the Iloilo City Government and Metro Pacific Iloilo Water (MPIW) remain proactive in exploring innovative solutions and strategic initiatives.
Mayor Jerry P. Treñas emphasized that Iloilo City is among the fastest-growing cities in the Philippines. In anticipation of further development, it is critical to ensure more than enough water supply to meet the city’s needs.
“We must prepare not only to meet today’s water demands but also to address the future needs of our rapidly growing economy. Redundancy in our systems and access to potable water are not mere aspirations — they are essential for our resilience and sustained growth,” Treñas stressed.
MPIW, the city’s primary water distribution utility and a known solid and competent private sector partner, has been proactive in upgrading its infrastructure to ensure the delivery of high-quality water services.
Currently, it supplies approximately 60-80 million liters per day (MLD) to its whole franchise area including 40 to 50 MLD to Iloilo City, sourced from Metro Iloilo Bulk Water and Flowater Resources.
Recognizing the growing population and economic expansion, the utility company is working to further enhance capacity and reliability.
“We are happy to have Metro Pacific as our partner in ensuring redundancy in potable water supply for the whole water district – as one of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals,” the city mayor added.
One of the most anticipated developments is the completion of a state-of-the-art desalination plant, which is expected to produce 66.5 million liters of potable water daily.
This facility, eyed to be completed by 2027, will provide a consistent water source for over 400,000 residents in Metro Iloilo and neighboring towns, reinforcing the city’s commitment to sustainable solutions.
Moreover, with the integration of modern technologies like the desalination plant and Modular Desalination with water treatment plant (5MLD) already in the pipeline, the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project (JRMP) 82 MLD capacity, once awarded to the Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) through a proposed government-to-government (G2G) agreement, will not only secure a reliable water supply for nearly 700,000 households by 2031, but also help maintain reasonable water rates, shielding Ilonggos from excessive rate hikes.
By 2028, the available supply will have significantly increased to 150MLD to 230 MLD.
MIWD, in partnership with its JV companies (MPIW and MIB), is investing Php11 billion from 2023 to 2032 to enhance water infrastructure and improve distribution efficiency.
Likewise, MPIW is actively working to reduce Non-Revenue Water through various pipeline renewals and rehabilitations and is also focused on expanding its network coverage to 3.4 times its current size.
Plans for 2025-2029 include several pipeline replacement projects in Molo, Mandurriao, and Arevalo, particularly focusing on the following:
* Primary Line Upgrade in Iloilo City Proper (Phase 1-3)
* Hydraulic System Jaro Project
* Jalaur Transmission Line Project
* Desalination Primary Line Pipelining
In addition to MPIW’s efforts, the city government is welcoming new players to further augment its water supply.
Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc. (AIC) has proposed an ambitious P8.45 billion Iloilo Bulk Water Supply Project to potentially add to the city’s existing resources.
The Pre-Qualifications, Bids, and Awards Committee of Iloilo City, after a thorough evaluation, has already accepted the proposal for purposes of negotiations.
Treñas emphasized transparency and fairness in evaluating the proposal, noting that a Swiss challenge will follow the negotiations. This process allows other interested parties to submit counter-proposals, ensuring the best possible terms and outcomes for the city.
“We welcome Aboitiz InfraCapital and other possible proposals to reaffirm our commitment to fairness, sustainability, and progress. The Iloilo City Government will always prioritize the welfare of our people in every decision,” he said.
“We welcome the entry of all bulk water providers, as long as the resulting water tariff remains fair and reasonable for our customers. Ultimately, our initiatives are all about the people of Iloilo. We believe that a collaborative approach, where all stakeholders work together, to secure an agreement that guarantees the right balance between meeting future water needs and safeguarding public welfare,” said David Berba, MPIW chief operating officer.
As early as 2017, Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) is directly engaging with NIA through a government-to-government (G2G) arrangement to tap into the bulk water supply. Once approved, the water will be distributed through Metro Pacific Iloilo Water, which handles the distribution network, and Metro Iloilo Bulk Water, which provides treated bulk water.
A government-to-government arrangement ensures the lowest possible water rates and that public interest remains the priority.
As Iloilo City continues to evolve, the city government and its partners remain committed in their mission to provide more water for Iloilo.
With these transformative initiatives, the future looks promising for a city that is setting the standard for resilience and innovation./PN
