BY MA. THERESA LADIAO
ILOILO City – Decisive action is needed to address Iloilo City’s water supply issues because current measures are inadequate to match the city’s rapid expansion, according to Mayor Jerry Treñas.
Emphasizing his dissatisfaction with the existing water supply situation, he said that while Metro Pacific Iloilo Water (MPIW) has made investments, they are insufficient to resolve the problem.
To highlight the urgency, Treñas invited MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power) president and chief executive officer Roel Castro to a meeting, where Castro reported that Iloilo City’s electricity demand has grown at an annual rate of 13% over the past five years.
“This demonstrates the city’s rapid growth,” Treñas said. “MORE Power is already preparing for the future, but I do not see the same urgency from MPIW. Water is just as critical as electricity, and it must be treated with equal priority.”
Supply Deficit, Upgrades
MPIW chief operating officer Angelo David Berba acknowledged that the city’s water supply remains inadequate, citing high non-revenue water (NRW) losses as a contributing factor.
“We admit there is a shortage, compounded by high water losses, which is why we are prioritizing pipeline replacement projects,” Berba said.
MPIW has scheduled four major pipeline upgrades aimed at reducing losses, though the projects will require road excavations in areas such as barangays Sinikway and Bo. Obrero.
Treñas made it clear that Iloilo City expects real, sustainable solutions.
“In the interest of Iloilo City, we are not satisfied,” he said. “We need long-term solutions, not just temporary fixes.”
Short-Term Measures and Long-Term Plans
To provide immediate relief, MPIW is investing P400 million in modular water treatment plants, expected to be operational within eight months. These containerized plants will process deep well and river water, adding five million liters per day to the supply.
In the meantime, MPIW is using tankering operations to supplement supply, particularly during the dry season. However, Berba admitted that this is only a stopgap measure.
For long-term stability, MPIW is banking on the Halaur Water Supply Project, which is expected to supply 80 million liters per day (MLD) to Iloilo City. However, progress has stalled due to delays in constructing an 80-kilometer highland canal.
“The additional 80 MLD from Halaur is crucial,” Berba said. “Even with the upcoming dissemination plant in 2027, it will only meet 60% of Iloilo’s demand. We need the Halaur project expedited.”
Berba called on the national government to finalize the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreement or allow the Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) to manage the allocation to accelerate the project.
Water Supply Stable but Action Needed
Despite last year’s El Niño crisis, Iloilo’s current water supply remains stable, with no immediate drought forecast from the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. However, MPIW is preparing for potential shortages by expediting conservation measures and water-saving projects.
“We need support from the city government and private sector to fast-track permits and approvals for these projects,” Berba emphasized.
MPIW reassured Iloilo residents of its commitment to improving water security and urged all stakeholders to collaborate in addressing both short-term disruptions and long-term supply challenges./PN
