By Rjay Zuriaga Castor
The Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) announced that the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) committed to allocating 90 million liters per day (MLD) of bulk water from the Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project Stage II (JRMP II) in Calinog, Iloilo.
“As early as 2017, the MIWD already made necessary representations with NIA for a government-to-government project that will give us an allocation of roughly 90 MLD of water supply,” MIWD General Manager Alfredo Tayo said.
The JRMP II, the first large-scale water reservoir outside Luzon, incorporates bulk water supply, hydroelectric power, and solar power components.
Its bulk water supply component is designed to provide approximately 86,400 cubic meters or 86.4 MLD of water daily to meet the commercial and industrial needs of Iloilo City and surrounding towns.
Tayo revealed that in May, he personally appealed to NIA, the National Water Resources Board, and the Local Water Utilities Administration to fast-track the process for sourcing the bulk water supply.
“This is not just an MIWD deal. This involves other government agencies,” Tayo added.
MIWD’s proposal to NIA follows a government-to-government scheme to tap into the bulk water supply.
Once approved, the water will be distributed through Metro Pacific Iloilo Water, which handles the distribution network, and Metro Iloilo Bulk Water Supply Corporation, which provides treated bulk water.
Tayo explained that a government-to-government arrangement ensures the lowest possible water rates.
“If you give it to the private sector, they will always have a profit margin on it,” he emphasized.
Tayo expressed hope that the project would be operational within two years, ideally before the end of the president’s term.
MIWD also supports the entry of additional players tapping into JRMP II, stating that more providers could expand water services for the public.
“There are many players because there is no such thing as exclusivity with regards to the water industry, so anybody may come. But definitely, since we are a government agency, we will be given priority,” he added.
NIA-6 recently disclosed that at least four companies have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the agency to access JRMP II’s components.
Manila Water Philippine Ventures, Inc. has expressed interest in utilizing the bulk water supply from the megadam, according to NIA-6 Director Engineer Jonel B. Borres.
Borres clarified that the MOU, which was directly discussed with their Central Office, does not guarantee the eventual approval of their proposal.
