ILOILO City – METRO Pacific Water Investments Corporation and French-based firm Suez have agreed to build a desalination plant in this metropolis.
The project will leverage advanced desalination technology to convert seawater into potable water, aiming to provide 65 million liters daily (MLD) for the city’s residents. It will also provide an alternative source that can supplement the existing water resources, especially during drought or water shortage.
It is expected to enhance water security for residents and support the city’s growth and development, driven by thriving sectors such as business process outsourcing (BPO) and tourism.
The groundbreaking partnership was held at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, signifying a leap forward in sustainable infrastructure development, said Metro Pacific Water, the mother company of Metro Pacific Iloilo Water (MPIW).
Christopher Andrew B. Pangilinan, president and CEO of Metro Pacific Water, said it is the medium-term solution of MPIW in addressing supply shortage and supporting Metro Iloilo’s rapid economic and population growth, fueled by factors such as increasing investment in business process outsourcing and tourism industries.
Such growth significantly strains local water resources, necessitating innovative solutions like the new desalination plant.
Designed to meet escalating demand, the facility promises to deliver a dependable and sustainable water supply to sustain the region’s progress in the near and medium term.
“Partnering with Suez represents a pivotal milestone in our commitment to ensuring a sustainable and reliable water supply for the people of Metro Iloilo,” said Pangilinan./PN
