By Mariela Angella Oladive
Metro Pacific Iloilo Water (MPIW) is investing PHP400 million in a modular water treatment plant to produce 5 million liters per day (MLD) as a temporary solution to Iloilo City’s ongoing water shortage.
The announcement came after a meeting between MPIW and Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas on Monday, March 17.
Treñas voiced his frustration over the current water supply, calling for both immediate and long-term solutions.
“We are not happy with the current state of the water supply in Iloilo City. While we acknowledge MPIW’s investments, they are not enough to fully address the problem. Until every household in Iloilo City has a reliable and redundant water supply, we cannot be satisfied,” Treñas said.
He pointed to the city’s rapid growth and the need for a comprehensive water solution to meet increasing demand.
Drawing comparisons to MORE Power, the city’s electricity distributor, which has experienced a 13% compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) over the past five years, Treñas stressed that water supply should be treated with the same urgency as electricity.
“In over five years of service, MPIW has only satisfied 27% of the city’s water needs. That is not acceptable. The main issue may be the water supply, but MPIW must also take responsibility for rehabilitating its lines and ensuring a more efficient distribution system,” he added.
MPIW’s Strategy
MPIW Chief Operating Officer Angelo David Berba acknowledged the company’s struggle to secure additional water sources but assured that they are actively working on solutions.
The company is currently searching for a site for the modular water treatment plant, which can process various water sources, including brackish water from the Iloilo River, groundwater, and saltwater.
Additionally, MPIW is working to reduce Non-Revenue Water (NRW) through four pipe replacement projects and is securing permits from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
It is also awaiting the completion of the highline canal from the Jalaur Dam Project, which could provide an additional water source.
Berba expressed hope that the Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) could secure water rights to help lower water costs.
“The long-term solution is Jalaur. We need to secure it because it can provide 80 million liters per day (MLD). Even with the desalination plant becoming operational by 2027, it will still be insufficient,” he said.
On February 21, Metro Pacific Water (MPW) broke ground on the PHP5.5-billion Metro Iloilo Desalination Facility in Barangay Ingore, La Paz, Iloilo City.
The facility, the largest in the Philippines, will produce 66.5 MLD of potable water.
However, Berba said this will only cover 60% of the city’s total demand.
