ILOILO City – True to its commitment to provide sufficient, quality and accessible water supply to its Ilonggo concessionaires, South Balibago Waterworks (SBW) has completed another water supply and distribution project in its franchise area in Jaro district here.
From the existing 200 household clients who are already connected, over 1,000 more as well as several commercial establishments in Barangay Bito-on, Jaro can now have access to potable water because of the pipe-laying project.
“Water available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, water pressure of 16 psi (pounds per square inch), potable water passing the Philippine National Standards of Drinking Water and a customer service experience that satisfies and delights – these are our commitment. We are fulfilling them,” said SBW president Cristina Isabelle Panlilio-Alejandro.
Panlilio-Alejandro, together with Councilor Miguel Treñas who represented Mayor Jerry Treñas, recently led the ceremonial energization of the water system through the opening of the project’s water hydrant.
SBW is a subsidiary of Balibago Waterworks which now operates more than 80 municipal water supply and distribution systems across 24 provinces in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
With Iloilo City, under the stewardship of Mayor Treñas, as one of the fastest-growing highly urbanized cities in the country, SBW is keeping up with the city’s fast-paced developments.
“South Balibago supports the development plans and directions of Mayor Jerry Treñas, ensuring residents and investors reliable water service for their homes and businesses,” Panlilio-Alejandro.
Councilor Treñas, whose advocacy is providing clean water to the barangays that need it the most, thanked and lauded SBW for its significant milestone that would ensure round-the-clock water supply for the people of Barangay Bito-on.
He added that the project will surely alleviate the challenges faced by the residents due to lack of water, leading them to an improved quality of life.
He also noted the accessibility and significant use of the water hydrant for the Bureau of Fire Protection in times of need.
The water supply for Barangay Bito-on comes from a 13 million liters per day (MLD) capacity water treatment plant located in Pototan, Iloilo which also delivers bulk water to the Zarraga Water District and customers in Leganes and other barangays in Jaro district.
SBW began its operations in Passi City, Iloilo on February 2011 by taking over the local government-run water system through the intervention of then city mayor Jesry Palmares.
There were only 1,400 customers then. Today, the company has more than 4,000 customers, with water supply coming from its 10 MLD water treatment plant.
MORE ACCOMPLISHMENTS, INITIATIVES
SBW also played a big part in the 18th National Scout Jamboree organized by Passi City’s Mayor Stephen Palmares and former mayor Jesry Palmares in December 2023.
More than 30,000 delegates participated in the week-long activities. The water supply of SBW for the jamboree camp site was so clean and strong that it earned praise from the national organizers and participants.
Barotac Viejo is another municipality being served by the company since the franchise signing last August 2018. It serves the customers in Barotac Viejo using a deep well water system.
In a Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) with the Calinog Water District, SBW is actively working to reduce the non-revenue water (NRW) of the water district which averaged 62% during the signing of the JVA last December 2020.
After completing phase one of the total pipe replacement project, the NRW significantly dropped to 37%.
This 2024, with the full-support of Mayor Ico Calvo, the phase two of the project is now in the pipeline and is expected to bring the NRW down even further to 10%.
New water sources are being prepared to ensure the continuous flow of water to customers in Calinog.
Meanwhile, the municipality of Dueñas is the firm’s latest franchise area, energized last December 2023, with Mayor Robert Martin Pama and Vice Mayor Aimee Lamasan gracing the event.
The improvement of the water supply service in the town was their campaign promise to their constituents, which has become a reality.
CENTRAL VISAYAS AND MINDANAO BRANCHES
Outside of Iloilo, SBW is also active in Bohol Province where they have deep wells in the Municipality of Corella connected to a 40-kilometer transmission line supplying water to Dauis and Panglao residents and resorts.
SBW’s footprint in Mindano is growing as well. It has been serving Mati City, Davao Oriental and Municipality of Buug, Zamboanga Sibugay since January and December 2018, respectively.
In 2020, the company built another 10 MLD capacity water treatment plant in Barangay Ipononan, Cagayan de Oro with the aim of selling bulk water to the Cagayan de Oro Water District. The bulk water contract was energized in September 2023.
Moreover, the Municipality of Opol in Misamis Oriental also became the newest franchise of SBW in the Mindanao area. Having enough supply of water is dream turned into reality for the people of Opol who, for so long a time, suffered without access to water sources.
The support of Mayor Jayfrancis Bago and Vice Mayor Danilo Daroy Jr. played a significant part in the realization of the project.
In the Philippines where around 20% of the population lacks access to clean and potable water, SBW is proud to say that is an active and aggressive partner of the government in helping the country achieve the goal of universal access to clean, healthy and potable water./PN
