Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas has raised the alarm over the worsening water shortage in the city, urging Metro Pacific Iloilo Water (MPIW) to act swiftly and decisively.
In a recent meeting with MPIW Assistant Vice President Jonet Sanalila, Treñas acknowledged the company’s plan to launch a modular water treatment plant by October 2025.
However, the mayor emphasized that the initial output of 1 million liters per day (MLD) would barely make a dent in the city’s growing water demand.
“This is a welcome development, but I’ve made it clear that it’s not enough compared to our city’s current demand,” Treñas said.
The facility is expected to serve only about 1,000 households—far short of what’s needed to ease the daily burden on Ilonggos who, according to the mayor, are waking up at dawn just to collect water.
A second 1 MLD plant is slated for completion by December 2025. But even with both facilities in operation, the supply shortfall remains critical.
MPIW projects the full 10 MLD capacity of the modular system will only be reached by mid-2027.
“We can’t wait until 2027 to feel consistent and adequate water service. That’s unacceptable,” Treñas stressed.
Beyond the issue of supply, Treñas also criticized MPIW’s poor communication with the public, particularly regarding roadworks tied to water infrastructure projects.
The mayor called for better coordination and transparency to avoid unnecessary traffic disruptions.
“There’s no reason to keep the public in the dark,” she said.
As Iloilo City continues to struggle with intermittent water supply, Treñas’s message to the water utility is urgent and unequivocal: stop delaying, start delivering.
The city’s residents, she said, deserve no less than immediate and lasting solutions.IMT
