MPW earmarks PHP 3.81B for 2026 water infra upgrades

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

Metro Pacific Water (MPW) has allotted PHP 3.81 billion in capital expenditures for 2026 to fund water infrastructure projects and system upgrades in Iloilo City and Dumaguete City, citing the need to secure reliable supply ahead of the upcoming El Niño season.

In a statement, the company said the investments will cover new pipelines, the replacement of aging and undersized pipes, and the construction of 86,073 new water service connections to expand household access.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) raised its monitoring status to El Niño Alert on April 22, citing a 79% probability that the warm phase of the El Niño Southern Oscillation will develop during the June–July–August 2026 season and persist until early 2027.

PAGASA Climate Monitoring and Prediction Section chief Ana Liza Solis said the event could begin as weak before reaching moderate-to-strong intensity by the September–October–November 2026 quarter, with below-normal rainfall expected to strain water resources, agriculture, and energy supply across much of the country.

“We recognize that demand continues to grow at a time when traditional water sources are becoming increasingly strained due to extreme climate conditions. These investments are being made today so our customers will not have to bear the burden of shortages tomorrow,” MPW President and CEO Andrew Pangilinan said.

MPW will also pursue non-revenue water reduction projects targeting leaks, illegal connections, and system losses. The company said the measures are expected to improve water pressure, enhance service reliability, and raise operational efficiency across its franchise areas.

To diversify supply during periods of extreme heat and reduced rainfall, MPW is accelerating the rollout of alternative water source projects. These include desalination facilities capable of producing up to 65 million liters per day of potable water and modular water treatment plants that can generate 5 million liters per day from sources within or near the cities served.

In Iloilo, pipelaying work is underway in Barangay Mansaya, Lapuz, to strengthen service reliability in the La Paz–Lapuz District and prepare the network for the planned 66.5-million-liter-per-day desalination plant in Barangay Ingore.

“Through these strategic investments in infrastructure modernization and supply augmentation, we are strengthening the reliability of our systems and safeguarding access to clean and adequate water for our customers even as the El Niño season approaches,” Pangilinan added.

MPW currently serves approximately 860,000 residents across Iloilo City, Dumaguete City, and seven municipalities within its franchise areas.

A wholly owned subsidiary of Metro Pacific Investments Corp., MPW develops and operates water infrastructure projects across the Philippines and Vietnam through concessions and Public-Private Partnership arrangements covering water supply, bulk water treatment, wastewater management, and related technologies.