ILOILO City – Metro Pacific Water (MPW) is making a significant mark in Iloilo City with the groundbreaking of its P5.5-billion desalination plant, an investment that promises to drive the city’s economic growth, support job creation, and enhance its business climate.
Expected to be completed by 2027, the plant will provide reliable water supply, benefiting over 400,000 residents in Metro Iloilo. This development is part of Metro Pacific’s nearly P15-billion investment in Iloilo City, reinforcing its commitment to Iloilo’s long-term development.
The Metro Iloilo Desalination facility, located in Barangay Ingore in La Paz district, will complement Metro Pacific Iloilo Water’s (MPIW) P7-billion service enhancement program for 2025-2034. This enhancement program includes major upgrades to pipelines and infrastructure, ensuring that the city can support its growing population and expanding industries.
The desalination plant will provide an additional 66.5 million liters of potable water daily to be distributed by MPIW, playing a crucial role in the city’s efforts to ensure sustainable water supply.
Mayor Jerry Treñas has praised the project, emphasizing its significance in securing water resources vital for the city’s continued economic ambitions.
“A steady and reliable water supply will enhance our business climate, attract more investments, and generate more jobs for Ilonggos,” Treñas said.
The desalination plant will create thousands of jobs during its construction phase and generate permanent employment opportunities once operational. These jobs will span various sectors, including engineering, water management, maintenance, and technology. This surge in employment will have a ripple effect, benefiting multiple industries across Iloilo City.
Catalyst for Industrial Growth and Job Creation
The reliable water supply provided by the desalination plant will drive growth in several key industries. Manufacturing sectors, including food and beverage production, textiles, and chemical processing, are heavily dependent on consistent water availability. With a dependable water source, businesses will be able to increase production capacity, attract new investments, and create additional job opportunities.
The tourism and hospitality sectors will also benefit, with hotels, resorts, and restaurants relying on stable water resources to maintain high-quality services for visitors. Additionally, the real estate sector, particularly the growing number of vertical developments, will be assured of a constant water supply, supporting the city’s urban expansion.
Healthcare facilities, such as hospitals and clinics, will also experience a positive impact from the desalination plant. A stable water supply is essential for patient care, sanitation, and the smooth operation of medical facilities. The city’s ability to accommodate the growth of its healthcare services will improve public health outcomes and benefit the entire community.
Sustainability and Long-Term Development
The desalination project aligns with the city’s WHEELs program (Welfare, Health, Education, Environment, Livelihood, and Sustainability), focusing on sustainable growth and improving the quality of life for residents. Mayor Treñas also highlighted the project’s contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal No. 6, which aims to ensure Clean Water and Sanitation for All.
In addition to water security, MPIW’s continuous water infrastructure modernization effort includes the installation of a state-of-the-art, large-diameter pipeline from Spain, the largest in the Asia-Pacific region. The new infrastructure will help reduce non-revenue water (NRW) or water that has been produced and is “lost” before it reaches the customer.
Since 2019, MPIW has been tackling NRW through massive meter replacement, an aggressive leak repair program, and the use of advanced technologies, such as the SAHARA mobile leak detection system, reducing water losses from 59% to 45% and saving approximately 34,000 cubic meters of water daily.
A Vision for the Future
Mayor Treñas emphasized that the construction of the desalination plant through Iloilo City’s partner will play a pivotal role in Iloilo’s future growth.
“This project cements our commitment to Iloilo’s long-term development. By ensuring water security, we are creating jobs, boosting local industries, and fostering sustainable growth,” Treñas said.
He reinforced the close collaboration between the local government and MPW, noting that the project exemplifies the city’s dedication to inclusive growth and good governance. The desalination plant is poised to be a catalyst for transforming Iloilo City into a hub of economic activity, sustainability, and prosperity for years to come./PN
