BLUEPRINT FOR WATER SECURITY: PHL’s Largest Desalination Plant to Set Industry Benchmark

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

A groundbreaking PHP 5-billion desalination project in Iloilo City is poised to become a model solution for water scarcity across the Philippine archipelago, as Metro Pacific Water aims to complete the country’s largest facility of its kind by 2026.

The project, announced through a partnership between Metro Pacific Water Investments Corp. and French environmental services leader Suez, will produce 66.5 million liters of water daily, serving approximately 50,000 households.

It breaks ground today, February 21, 2025, at its proposed site in Barangay Ingore, La Paz, Iloilo City.

“If you look at the technology, compared it to 10 years ago, I think we’re 10 times more efficient now in terms of cost,” Metro Pacific Water President and Chief Executive Officer Christopher Andrew B. Pangilinan said in a BusinessWorld interview.

The landmark facility, incorporating Suez’s advanced SeaDAF™ Filter technology, represents a significant advancement in addressing water security challenges in archipelagic regions.

“If it turns out successful, I’m sure we could easily replicate this in other islands all across the Philippines,” Pangilinan added, pointing to the project’s potential as a template for future developments.

The desalination plant will be strategically located in Barangay Ingore, La Paz, Iloilo City which will ensure direct and efficient water distribution to address long-standing shortages in the region.

Metro Pacific Iloilo Water Chief Operating Officer David Berba emphasized the location’s strategic advantage.

“What is good with this desalination plant is that it is located within the southern part, in Iloilo City itself, at Barangay Ingore.”

The current water supply from Maasin in the far north faces distribution challenges due to rapid commercial growth in areas like Pavia, making the new plant’s location crucial for efficient service delivery.

The project showcases innovative integration with sustainable energy solutions, as it will be powered by a PHP 2.3-billion Integrated Solid Waste Management Facility waste-to-energy project.

This integrated facility will process 475 tons of waste daily, generating up to 3.5 megawatts of electricity in addition to the 10 megawatts required for the desalination plant.

The combination of waste management and water production demonstrates a comprehensive approach to environmental sustainability, potentially setting new standards for infrastructure development in the Philippines.

Farchad Kaviani, Suez’s managing director for Southeast Asia, expressed pride in the partnership.

“Our expertise in desalination technology will contribute to a secure and sustainable water source for Iloilo,” Kaviani said.

The project comes at a critical time for Metro Iloilo, which is experiencing rapid economic and population growth driven by the business process outsourcing and tourism sectors.

The facility will serve Iloilo City and the municipalities of Pavia, Leganes, Sta. Barbara, Cabatuan, Oton, San Miguel, and Maasin through Metro Pacific Iloilo Water, a joint venture between Metro Pacific Water and the Metro Iloilo Water District.

Berba highlighted the project’s broader implications of the project.

“Through this collaboration, Metro Pacific Water and Suez are setting a benchmark for future infrastructure projects, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to sustainability and innovation to meet the evolving needs of growing communities.”

The integration of the desalination plant with the waste management facility is expected to minimize production costs while reinforcing the city’s environmental protection and sustainability efforts.

Metro Pacific Water, which serves over 5 million people across the Philippines and Vietnam, views this project as a crucial step in addressing water security challenges in island communities.

The project’s innovative approach to combining water production with waste management could serve as a model for other coastal cities facing similar challenges across the Philippine archipelago.

Industry experts suggest that the success of this project could accelerate the adoption of desalination technology throughout the region, particularly in areas where traditional water sources are becoming increasingly strained.

The development is also a significant shift in how Philippine cities approach water security, moving from traditional surface water sources to more technologically advanced and sustainable solutions.

Environmental analysts note that the project’s waste-to-energy component could help address two critical challenges facing rapidly growing urban areas: waste management and water security.

The desalination plant’s construction marks a pivotal moment in the Philippines’ water infrastructure development, potentially influencing how other archipelagic nations approach similar challenges in the future.