Water remains a luxury for most residents in Iloilo City, with only 30 percent of households connected to Metro Pacific Iloilo Water’s (MPIW) supply and the rest relying on rationing or going without.
City Council Committee on Energy and Public Utilities chairman Atty. Romel Duron, in a radio interview, lamented that many barangays still depend on water tankers — at prices between ₱1,500 and ₱2,000 per delivery — to meet even basic needs.
“Barangays pay for water tanker delivery if they have funds, and if not, local officials look for sponsors just to provide temporary water supply,” he said.
Duron noted that hotels and condominiums are passing the high cost on to tenants, raising rents and service charges.
“Even if the water is expensive, you have no choice but to avail it. You can’t just not have water,” the councilor said.
Despite public pressure, MPIW has rehabilitated only more than 20 kilometers of its 235-kilometer pipeline network, a fraction of what is needed to expand service.
In General Hughes, City Proper, residents said they have yet to see any improvement. Instead of water, air and rust flow from their taps.
“It’s lacking. We just wait for water. If you’re not watching, you won’t get any,” said Jona, a resident.
Locals complain that MPIW’s expensive tanker deliveries run out quickly and can’t meet the needs of long queues, forcing many to rely on communal wells.
Metro Iloilo Water District General Manager Alfredo Tayo III admitted the concessionaire has “a lot of catching up” to do.
“As far as effort is concerned, satisfied on the effort side. But in terms of outcome or output, admittedly, they have a lot of catching up that they need to do,” he said, adding that penalties have been imposed but without disclosing details.IMT
