ILOILO City – Metro Pacific Iloilo Water (MPIW), the primary water distributor serving over 50,000 customers in this city and its surrounding towns, is projecting steady improvements in water service reliability starting this year and beyond, driven by substantial investments in water infrastructure, sustained supply development, and aggressive Non-Revenue Water (NRW) reduction initiatives.
Despite operating at a loss since it began operations six years ago, MPIW is doubling down on its commitment to Iloilo — investing over P11 billion (including the upcoming desalination facility) to significantly improve water reliability and service quality across its concession area.
“Our focus remains on addressing Iloilo’s water challenges,” said Angelo David C. Berba, MPIW chief operating officer, during the company’s second Kapehan sa Meda media forum. “Even after six years of operating at a loss, we are continuing to invest heavilybecause this is our commitment to Iloilo – better water access and long-term solutions.”
As part of its medium-term capital expenditure plan of P5 billion, MPIW is allocating P1.3 billion in 2025 alone for six major ongoing projects, involving over 40 kilometers of pipeline upgrades. These upgrades are essential for both expanding capacity and improving network efficiency.
Berba highlighted several key supply projects coming online between 2025 and 2026: HS Jaro Project Phase 1and 2, recovering 10 million liters per day (MLD) by December 2025; Q Abeto – R. Mapa, Iloilo City Proper Phase 2, Bo. Obrero, Mansay Lapuz, and Sinikway – all are Total Pipe Replacement Projects with a significant impact to increase water availability.
MPIW is likewise putting up a Modular Water Treatment Facility – adding 1 MLD in December 2025, and 4 MLD more by April 2026 – a total of 5 Modular WTF dedicated to Iloilo City.
Meanwhile, the Jalaur Bulk Water Supply is expected to provide up to 86 MLD, supporting long-term demand.
Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) and the National Irrigation Administration signed a Memorandum of Agreement for the partnership to assess the viability of transferring a portion of NIA’s water rights from the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project Stage II (JRMP II) to MIWD.
These initiatives will support MPIW’s plan to increase total available supply while strengthening system resilience.
Central to MPIW’s strategy is its aggressive campaign to reduce NRW, or treated water lost through leaks, illegal connections, or system inefficiencies. The company is undertaking a series of NRW reduction projects across Iloilo City, including the P655 million Total Pipe Replacement project and the 11-kilometer HS Jaro Phases 1 & 2 — designed to cut NRW by as much as 40% in 2025.
“While these projects may cause short-term inconvenience in some areas, they are critical to improving long-term water availability,” Berba said. “Even as we increased supply by nearly 20%, we’ve managed to continuously bring NRW down — proof that our investments and controls are working.”
These infrastructure upgrades are being aligned with future water sources, including the Metro Iloilo Desalination Facility (P5.5 billion) and water allocation from Jalaur River Multipurpose Project Phase II (JRMPII), which are expected to come online by 2027.
“Our goal is to complete all key pipeline and infrastructure works ahead of the arrival of additional water from desalination and Jalaur,” Berba said. “That requires careful planning, timely execution, and strong coordination with stakeholders.”
MPIW has emphasized its ongoing collaboration with the Iloilo City Government, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and other local agencies to minimize disruptions caused by construction activities. Through joint planning and regular coordination, MPIW aims to mitigate the impact of roadworks and ensure the timely implementation of key projects.
“Our mission goes beyond water delivery. We’re building a sustainable and resilient water future for Iloilo,” Berba concluded. “This is not a short-term play. We’re here for the long haul, and our continued investments — despite past losses — prove that commitment.”
MPIW’s infrastructure projects form a significant portion of its P12 billion concession agreement and reflect its long-term vision of delivering clean, reliable, and equitable water for all Ilonggos./PN
