How Iloilo banked 540 million liters of water

By Mariela Angella Oladive

The Iloilo Water Resilience Initiative (IWARI) generated an estimated 540.7 million liters of water annually through watershed rehabilitation, water conservation, and infrastructure projects carried out across Iloilo Province over the past three years.

Project partners presented the initiative’s accomplishments during the IWARI closeout program Thursday, June 25, at Casa Real, ahead of its completion on June 30.

According to a project presentation, the initiative produced an average of 1.5 million liters of water daily through interventions implemented from 2023 to 2026.

Of the total annual water gains, 284.9 million liters came from agroforestry activities.

Another 210.8 million liters were secured through small farm reservoirs serving agricultural areas in Janiuay, New Lucena, Leon, and Alimodian.

An additional 12.7 million liters were allocated to sustain local fishponds.

The project also established a Level II water system in Maasin capable of supplying 32.4 million liters of potable water annually.

Rainwater harvesting systems installed at Ramon Tabiana District Hospital can store 693,650 liters of water.

Similar facilities across 17 sites in Iloilo City have a combined storage capacity of 1.57 million liters.

Implemented by Catholic Relief Services Philippines in partnership with the Coca-Cola Foundation and the Provincial Government of Iloilo, the initiative focused on improving water security, climate resilience, and sustainable livelihoods in the province.

During the closeout program, CRS Philippines and the Coca-Cola Foundation turned over water system designs to the Provincial Government of Iloilo and beneficiary barangays Bolo and Trangka in Maasin to support the continued operation of the completed facilities.

The program also recognized local government units and partner agencies that took part in the project.

The recognized local government units included Iloilo City and the municipalities of Janiuay, Alimodian, Maasin, Leon, San Miguel, New Lucena, Oton, and Cabatuan.

National government agencies, academic institutions, and community organizations that supported the project were also recognized.

In her closing message, CRS Philippines head of programming Ma. Concepcion “Chin” Nobleza said the project’s impact extends beyond the physical infrastructure completed during the three-year initiative.

“Today, we have clear evidence that investments in watersheds, nature-based solutions, and community action create real and lasting benefits,” Nobleza said.

She said the initiative also strengthened collaboration among communities, local governments, civil society organizations, academia, and the private sector.

“Beyond these numbers, the true legacy of IWARI is the stronger collaboration among communities, local governments, civil society organizations, academia, and the private sector. Today is not an ending — it is a new beginning where the lessons, partnerships, and successes of IWARI will continue to guide our collective actions,” she said.

The event concluded with a commitment signing among participating stakeholders to support the sustainability of the project’s interventions after its completion.

Launched in 2023, IWARI sought to address water security challenges in Iloilo through nature-based solutions, watershed restoration, and community-led conservation amid growing concerns over climate change and rising water demand. The initiative focused on the Tigum-Aganan and Iloilo-Batiano watersheds, including the Maasin Watershed Forest Reserve, a primary source of potable water for Iloilo City.