The highly urbanized city of Iloilo continues to grapple with a worsening shortage of one of the most basic human needs – water.
“Iloilo City faces significant challenges in meeting its water supply needs, with a substantial gap between demand and available supply,” the Institute of Contemporary Economics (ICE) said in its comprehensive report.
The current sourcing methods, according to the Iloilo-based think tank, are “insufficient to meet the growing needs of the population.”
Metro Pacific Iloilo Water (MPIW), the city’s primary water distribution utility, supplies 40 to 50 million liters per day (mld) to the metropolis.
Launched in 2019, MPIW is a joint venture project of the Manuel Pangilinan-led Metro Pacific Water (MPW) and the Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD).
MPIW has only met 26 percent of the city’s water needs in its more than five years of operation. Its supply arm, Metro Iloilo Bulk Water Supply Corporation (MIBWSC), “appears to be capable of delivering 30 to 50 mld, far below the 170 mld initially promised.”
The estimated domestic water demand for the city and other franchise areas is 153 mld, requiring a total supply of 219 mld when accounting for 30% non-revenue water (NRW).
“The supply shortfall is approximately 139 mld, or 63% of the required amount,” the ICE report said.
To help address the water problem in the city, Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc. (AIC) proposed to construct and operate a P5-billion bulk water facility.
The facility will provide 86 million liters of potable bulk water daily. The treated water will be delivered to off-takers in the city.
AIC’s proposed project secured the endorsement of the Local Development Council (LDC) of Iloilo City.
“We welcome the LDC’s endorsement of the Iloilo Bulk Water Supply Project. We appreciate the LDC’s recognition that the project supports the local development plan,” said AIC president and CEO Cosette V. Canilao.
“It is an important step in moving the proposal forward to ensure water security for Ilonggos,” she added.IMT
