Aboitiz Gets LDC Endorsement for PHP5B Bulk Water Project

Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc. (AIC) secured the endorsement of the Iloilo City Local Development Council (LDC) for its proposed PHP 5 billion Iloilo Bulk Water Supply Project, a key step in addressing the province’s long-standing water security challenges.

The LDC’s backing, granted on May 21, 2025, followed a series of inclusive consultations involving city officials, barangay leaders, civil society, and water stakeholders.

AIC President and CEO Cosette V. Canilao said the endorsement confirms alignment with Iloilo’s development goals and strengthens the project’s public-private partnership (PPP) foundation.

“We welcome the Local Development Council’s endorsement,” said Canilao. “It is an important step in moving the proposal forward to ensure water security for Ilonggos.”

The project, which involves drawing, treating, and delivering up to 86 million liters per day (MLD) of potable water, directly supports the Iloilo City Comprehensive Development Plan 2023–2028.

The plan prioritizes sustainable water quality, reliable supply from river sources, and universal access to safe sanitation.

“We are a strategic investor, bringing in substantial capital and a long-term commitment to partner with the City Government in delivering a sustainable bulk water supply,” Canilao said, citing benefits like environmental protection, job creation, and support for local industries.

Councilor Atty. Rex Marcus B. Sarabia, who chairs the City Council’s finance and good governance committees, underscored the urgent need to reduce Iloilo’s dependence on expensive vended water.

“Tankered water costs up to PHP 225 per cubic meter, and five-gallon containers cost up to PHP 2,500 each,” Sarabia said. “What is clear, therefore, is that the most expensive kind of water is no water at all.”

He added that Mayor Jerry P. Treñas’ administration is committed to exploring all viable solutions to provide consistent potable water access to all Ilonggos.

The proposal’s approval by the LDC paves the way for final deliberations by the Iloilo City Council, which will decide on moving the project toward full implementation.

AIC emphasized that its approach is transformational, not transactional, and that it aims to deliver long-term solutions to water access and urban resilience in Iloilo.

“This is a critical infrastructure investment designed to support the city’s growing needs,” Canilao said. “Any narrative suggesting otherwise does a disservice to the city and its future.”

AIC’s track record in water infrastructure includes the Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project (DCBWSP), a 300 MLD facility operated by subsidiary Apo Agua Infrastructura, Inc. in partnership with the Davao City Water District.

The DCBWSP currently supplies 96% of Davao households with 24/7 clean water and earned a 99.6% customer satisfaction rating in 2024.

The project was recognized as the Best PPP in the Philippines by the UK-based International Finance Awards, reinforcing AIC’s capability to deliver complex, high-impact water solutions.