Only 11 of 43 Iloilo LGUs meet water target

By Mariela Angella Oladive

Only 11 out of 43 local government units (LGUs) in Iloilo meet the national benchmark for safely managed drinking water, according to the Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office (PGENRO), underscoring a wide service gap as the province pushes its 2035 water security roadmap.

PGENRO data show that most households continue to rely on basic water sources.

Around 58.95 percent depend on Level I sources such as wells and springs, while 12.71 percent use communal faucets or standposts classified as Level II.

Only 28.33 percent have individual household connections classified as Level III.

The figures fall below the 62 percent national target for safely managed drinking water services, highlighting the scale of the challenge facing the province.

These persistent gaps in access, quality, and reliability worsen during prolonged El Niño-driven dry periods, driving up treatment costs and increasing water-related diseases.

In response, the provincial government on Wednesday launched the Iloilo Province Integrated Water Security Plan (IPIWSP), a comprehensive roadmap aimed at building a sustainable, equitable, and climate-resilient water sector by 2035.

The plan is anchored on four core pillars: ensuring round-the-clock water accessibility, maintaining sufficient supply, keeping water affordable, and guaranteeing potability.

“When we talk about water accessibility, we need 24/7 access for everyone. And we still have a long way to go,” said Mitzi Peñaflorida, supervising environmental management specialist of PGENRO.

Governor Arthur Defensor Jr., together with members of the Iloilo Province Water Security Group, formally turned over the plan to development partners, including the Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Philippines, which provided technical assistance in crafting the roadmap.

The initiative marks Iloilo’s first integrated and long-term approach to water security as the province moves to safeguard its water resources amid growing demand and climate pressures.

Meanwhile, updates were also presented on the Iloilo Water Resilience Initiative (IWARI), a three-year project funded by the Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines.

Former Climate Resilient Cities Project chief of party Alan Luis Silayan presented the IWARI update, which focuses on restoring and protecting critical watersheds such as the Maasin Watershed Forest Reserve, the Tigum-Aganan Watershed in Pavia, and the Iloilo Batiano Watershed — key sources of the province’s water supply.

Governor Defensor expressed gratitude to both organizations for their technical and programmatic support in crafting and implementing water security strategies.

In turn, Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines President Maria Cecilia Alcantara signaled the group’s intent to expand its assistance, particularly in improving water access in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, as well as supporting watershed rehabilitation and solid waste management.

Also present at the meeting were Coca-Cola Europacific Aboitiz Philippines’ Atty. Juan Lorenz Tañada, Coca-Cola Far East Limited Senior Director Christine Ponce Garcia, and independent trustees Ramon Alikpala and Dr. Milwilda “Nene” Guevarra.

CRS Philippines was represented by Country Representative Jonas Tetangco, Head of Programming Maria Concepcion Nobleza, and IWARI Project Program Manager Arce Chua, among others.

Joining them from the provincial government were Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, PGENRO chief Atty. Caesar Emmanuelle Buyco Jr., Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office chief Cornelio Salinas, and Provincial Planning and Development Office acting head Jigger Labergue, along with members of the Iloilo Province Water Security Group.