‘MPIW SHOULD DOUBLE TIME’

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas has called on Metro Pacific Iloilo Water (MPIW) to accelerate its infrastructure projects in response to the city’s persistent water supply issues.

“MPIW should double time. We cannot afford to wait until 2027 before our constituents feel consistent and adequate water supply,” Treñas said in a statement on Friday, July 18.

“Just like electricity, water is a basic necessity, and it should be available every single day,” she added.

Treñas made the statement after meeting with Metro Pacific Water (MPW) Assistant Vice President for Business Development Jonet Salvilla.

MPIW is a joint venture between MPW and the Metro Iloilo Water District.

Apart from Iloilo City, MPIW also serves the towns of Oton, Sta. Barbara, Cabatuan, Maasin, San Miguel, Pavia, and Leganes.

Salvilla said MPIW is set to inaugurate a modular water treatment plant with a capacity of 1 million liters per day (MLD) by October 2025.

Another 1 MLD plant is scheduled to begin operations by December 2025, while the full 5 MLD capacity is targeted for completion by the second quarter of 2027.

While the mayor welcomed these developments, she said they remain insufficient to meet the city’s rising demand.

“We acknowledge these as positive steps, but I made it clear that they still fall short compared to the current needs of our city,” Treñas said.

She also criticized MPIW for poor public communication, particularly about pipeline replacement works that have caused traffic disruptions.

“The public deserves to be informed – there’s no excuse for the lack of timely announcements,” she said.

Treñas added that while MPIW has assured the city of planned pipeline upgrades, these must be taken seriously and implemented without delay.

MPIW said it currently supplies 60 to 80 MLD and is focused on expanding service coverage, upgrading aging infrastructure, improving water quality, and reducing non-revenue water (NRW).

Among its key projects is a PHP400-million modular treatment plant with a 5 MLD capacity expected to be completed by the end of 2025 as an interim solution.

Pipeline rehabilitation is also underway in Jaro, Iloilo City Proper, and along Diversion Road, with the goal of recovering 15 to 20 MLD of NRW through asset replacements.

In addition, MPIW is pursuing a PHP5.5-billion desalination plant in Barangay Ingore, La Paz.

The project, with a projected capacity of 50 to 66.5 MLD, is expected to be operational by 2026 to provide a sustainable and drought-resilient water source.