By Rjay Zuriaga Castor
Metro Pacific Iloilo Water (MPIW), the primary water distribution utility in Metro Iloilo, has earmarked PHP 1 billion for infrastructure and service upgrades in 2025, focusing on expanding service coverage and improving water quality.
“We have invested more for this year (2024) and will be investing more next year. PHP 1 billion worth of projects is earmarked for 2025. While we completed many projects this year, some have spilled over into next year,” said MPIW Engineering Department head Jerry Guillergan during a press conference on Friday.
Planned projects for 2025 include completing water system upgrades in Iloilo City’s Jaro and Molo districts, along with constructing the primary line for a planned desalination plant.
MPIW aims to establish a desalination plant in Iloilo City by 2026 to address water shortages, particularly during high-demand periods like heatwaves and El Niño events. The plant is expected to produce 50 to 66.5 million liters of potable water daily.
To combat non-revenue water (NRW), MPIW has initiated projects in Iloilo City Proper, particularly along Q. Abeto and R. Mapa Streets, alongside efforts to establish district-metered areas and replace aging pipes.
Guillergan emphasized the need for service improvements in densely populated areas prone to acute gastroenteritis, such as Barangay Sinikway, Rizal Street, Bo. Obrero, and Mansaya in the Lapuz district.
“These areas are densely populated, and their comfort rooms are not up to standard, so we need to rehabilitate and improve services because they lack a proper water source from MPIW,” Guillergan explained.
Service expansions are also planned for Pavia, Molo, Mandurriao, and additional parts of Jaro.
A major initiative for 2025 is the development of a central water monitoring system. This system will leverage advanced technology to provide real-time tracking and efficient water resource management, ensuring greater accuracy, reliability, and sustainability.
Consumers can also expect an improved customer care center and a dedicated visitor and media lounge.
In 2024, MPIW delivered PHP 235 million worth of projects, with 71.5% allocated to NRW reduction, 13.4% to service improvement, and 8.6% to service expansion.
Notable 2024 accomplishments include service expansion to Oton and Jaro, the deployment of the Sahara Leak Detection System, and retrofitting Carpenter’s Bridge. Ongoing pipeline projects include upgrades along Ungka Road to Jaro Plaza.
“Most of these projects were conducted at night to avoid disrupting the normal flow of traffic during the day,” Guillergan noted.
The Sahara Leak Detection System, a cutting-edge mobile technology, has been instrumental in reducing NRW caused by leaks and inefficiencies in the water distribution network.
The system is currently deployed in high-priority areas within Iloilo City, such as Sambag, Jaro, and Lopez Jaena Street, focusing on regions with significant water loss due to aging infrastructure.
Since taking over Metro Iloilo’s water distribution system in 2019, MPIW has continued to face challenges, including the reliability of supply, permit acquisition, and aging pipelines.
