MPIW details multi-billion plan amid calls for faster results

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

Metro Pacific Iloilo Water (MPIW) has reaffirmed its commitment to improving Iloilo City’s water supply and outlined urgent solutions following renewed calls for faster and more tangible action.

In a statement, MPIW said it continues to regularly update City Hall, regulators, and stakeholders on the progress of its projects.

“We hear our customers, recognize their concerns, and stand shoulder to shoulder with the city government in the goal of delivering safe, sustainable, and sufficient water,” MPIW said.

“We welcome the mayor’s engagement and the national government’s call to action—it motivates us to do more, faster.”

MPIW said it is accelerating its infrastructure roadmap with PHP5.5 billion in desalination investments, PHP400 million in modular treatment technologies, and an PHP11 billion pipeline rehabilitation program aimed at bridging the city’s significant demand-supply gap.

It said regular coordination and communication with Iloilo City Hall remains part of its efforts, including technical briefings, project walkthroughs, and progress updates to local officials and the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA).

“MPIW has maintained regular coordination with Mayor Raisa Treñas and city officials, including technical briefings and project walkthroughs,” it added.

“Updates on infrastructure progress, challenges, and timelines are shared with local stakeholders and regulatory bodies such as LWUA.”

The utility also expressed support for the city’s plan to source additional bulk water through partnerships, though it cautioned that integration with the existing distribution system must be carefully managed to avoid redundancy, ensure safety, and maximize value for consumers.

Fast-tracked solutions, major investments

MPIW is executing a broad strategy combining emergency measures with capital-intensive infrastructure to address both immediate needs and long-term challenges.

At the center of its long-term plan is a PHP5.5 billion desalination plant in Barangay Ingore, expected to be operational by late 2027.

The facility—billed as the first of its kind in Western Visayas—will supply up to 65 million liters per day (MLD) of potable water.

MPIW has also invested PHP400 million in modular treatment plants using advanced filtration technology from Japan’s Hitachi Group.

These are being deployed in high-demand areas, including the Iloilo Fish Port Complex and underserved residential zones.

To improve water pressure and reduce non-revenue water (NRW), MPIW has replaced more than 30 kilometers of pipelines since 2020.

It is allocating PHP1.3 billion for pipeline replacement and leak reduction in 2025 alone.

Another PHP3 billion has been earmarked for medium-term capital expenditures, with PHP800 million already spent this year across six active projects covering approximately 40 kilometers.

Supply and system gaps remain

MPIW Chief Operating Officer Angelo David Berba recently acknowledged that the current water supply still falls short of the city’s daily demand of over 100 million liters.

Berba said household coverage stands at 27 percent, but is expected to increase steadily through continued investment in supply expansion, system upgrades, and loss reduction.

To date, MPIW has repaired more than 17,000 pipeline leaks, most due to decades-old infrastructure.

Berba said around 80 percent of water losses come from physical damage, while the remaining 20 percent are commercial in nature.

MIWD taps megadam for future supply

The Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD), MPIW’s joint venture partner, has signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) to explore using the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project Stage II (JRMP II) for bulk water supply.

The MoU sets the foundation for a government-to-government arrangement to allocate up to 86 MLD of raw water from JRMP II for domestic use—without a private concession.

MIWD will lead development of part of the JRMP II high-line canal, intake, and treatment facilities, all of which will be publicly owned, with long-term control reverting to NIA.

“Through this MoU, we are laying the groundwork to responsibly utilize part of the Jalaur River’s water resources for safe, reliable, and accessible drinking water,” said MIWD General Manager Alfredo Tayo III.

JRMP II, NIA’s flagship large-scale reservoir project outside Luzon, is designed for irrigation, bulk water supply, hydropower, and eco-tourism.

It will benefit municipalities such as Calinog, Lambunao, Passi City, and Iloilo City.

The Asian Development Bank is providing advisory support to ensure cost-effective pricing and affordable water tariffs.

“This partnership is a step toward greater sustainability and long-term water security in Iloilo,” Tayo added.

 

Path forward and accountability

MPIW said that while infrastructure takes time, it remains committed to transparency and coordination with the city and national agencies.

Since taking over operations in 2019 under a 25-year concession, MPIW has invested PHP900 million in initial rehabilitation and expansion.

From 2025 to 2028, it plans to invest nearly PHP5 billion, with PHP2.9 billion set for 2026 and PHP1.9 billion for 2027.

Berba said MPIW aims to cut NRW to 35 percent by 2027 and below 20 percent after integrating desalinated water.

Household coverage is expected to rise to 50 percent by late 2027, and up to 80–90 percent once JRMP II becomes fully operational.

“We’re not standing still,” Berba said.

“This is a multi-front effort—and every pipeline we replace, every liter we recover, every tank we deliver moves us closer to meeting Iloilo City’s water needs.”