ILOILO City – A major partnership is taking shape in the city’s Jaro district as South Balibago Waterworks (SBW) and SM Development Corporation (SMDC) inked a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to deliver reliable and safe water supply to the Glade Residences, a large-scale vertical housing project in Barangay Buhang.
The deal, signed on July 18, guarantees round-the-clock water service to the future residents of 11 condominium buildings comprising nearly 2,000 units—one of the largest residential-scale water arrangements in Iloilo City to date.
“This is more than just a water service agreement,” said SMDC Assistant Vice President for Project Development and Management Neil Brian J. Serantes during the ceremonial signing. “It’s a promise to uphold quality living, progress, and public health.”
Water, he pointed out, is the most fundamental need in every home and community.
“With this partnership, we are ensuring that Glade Residences becomes a model of worry-free, well-planned urban living,” said Serantes.
SBW president Cristina Isabelle Panlilio-Alejandro affirmed their readiness to meet demand, committing to deliver 20 cubic meters of water per household per month.
“We guarantee 24/7 water availability, a minimum of 16 PSI pressure even during peak hours, and quality that complies with Philippine national standards for drinking water,” she said.
She emphasized that SBW, which entered the Iloilo City market in 2017, is steadily expanding its service reach. It currently operates a 10-million-liter-per-day treatment plant, with an additional 6 MLD capacity slated to come online by end-2026.
The company already supplies water to eight to ten barangays in Jaro, including Buhang, Buntatala, Tagbak, Camalig, Bitoon, Cubay, Quintin Salas, MV Hechanova, and parts of Balabago.
“Iloilo City is close to my heart,” added Alejandro, citing her Lopez family roots. “We are proud to be part of its progress. This partnership with SMDC strengthens our shared vision for a livable, inclusive, and sustainable city.”
Councilor Nene DeLa Llana, representing Mayor Raisa Treñas, praised the collaboration for reinforcing the city’s commitment to sustainable urban development and investment-readiness.
“Water is not just a household need, it is essential for attracting new investments, creating jobs, and securing Iloilo City’s future,” he said. “This partnership between South Balibago Water and SMDC is an example of what can happen when the private sector works together for the good of the community.”
DeLa Llana further noted that ensuring clean, sufficient, and reliable water supply is a top priority for the Treñas administration, particularly as the city’s economy posts a growth rate of 10.5% and gains recognition as one of the top-performing LGUs nationwide.
SMDC, which earned back-to-back Developer of the Year awards in 2022 and 2023, considers Glade Residences its flagship project in the region, envisioning not just housing but integrated communities with lifestyle conveniences — including dependable utility services.
“This MOA marks the beginning of a long-standing alliance,” Serantes said. “We are not just building buildings, we are building homes and communities where families can thrive.”
As Iloilo City continues to grow rapidly, stakeholders say the Glade Residences-SBW agreement serves as a model of forward-thinking infrastructure planning and private sector synergy that prioritizes people’s needs in the face of urban expansion./PN
