SERVICE EXPANSION: Metro Pacific Iloilo Water Expands Partnerships with Subdivisions, Signs Agreement with Philippine Estates Corp.

Metro Pacific Iloilo Water Inc. (MPIW), the joint venture of Metro Pacific Water and Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD), has signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Philippine Estates Corporation for its residential development, Wellford Homes Jaro, further strengthening MPIW’s partnerships with subdivisions and developers across Iloilo.

Under the agreement, the water distribution system of Wellford Homes Jaro will be formally turned over to MIWD, with operations, management, and maintenance entrusted to MPIW. This ensures residents will benefit from safe and reliable water services aligned with the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water issued by the Department of Health.

For years, subdivision residents relied on deep wells operated by developers or expensive raw water tanker deliveries from private suppliers charging an average of PHP 180 to PHP 300 per cubic meter, compared to the PHP 20 per cubic meter offered by MPIW. Prolonged deep well use depletes underground aquifers and poses health and environmental risks.

Once the technical evaluation is completed, MPIW will provide nearly 500 Wellford Homes customers with potable water 24/7, eliminating dependence on deep wells that risk aquifer depletion and contamination that can cause acute gastroenteritis. The move supports the strict permitting rules of the National Water Resources Board on groundwater extraction, a policy MPIW strongly advocates.

“This partnership reflects our strong commitment to bringing safe and reliable water access in Iloilo,” said Angelo David C. Berba, MPIW chief operating officer. “We have been partnering with multiple subdivisions and estate developers in Iloilo, and this agreement with Philippine Estates Corporation further strengthens our role as the trusted water provider for growing communities. More collaborations are underway as we continue to expand and modernize our water distribution system.”

MPIW currently partners with more than 230 subdivisions, supplying water to over 42,000 connections, with additional partnerships under negotiation and infrastructure planning.

The Wellford Homes Jaro agreement is part of MPIW’s broader strategy to integrate more residential communities into Iloilo’s sustainable water network. Beyond current partnerships, MPIW is preparing for the province’s first large-scale desalination plant, a PHP 5.5 billion project set to go online by the end of 2027, with Iloilo City as its primary beneficiary.

Glenn Gerald D. Pantig, Philippine Estates Corporation chief operating officer, underscored the partnership’s importance. “Through this collaboration with MPIW, we are guaranteeing our homeowners a professionally managed water system that ensures long-term reliability. We are proud to align with MPIW’s mission of safe and reliable water service for Iloilo.”

With this agreement, MPIW continues to expand its network of subdivision partnerships, ensuring that water services keep pace with Iloilo’s rapid urban growth and economic development while promoting sustainability and resilience. (Advertorial)