ILOILO City – Mayor Jerry Treñas has raised urgent concern over the city’s water supply and distribution problems, warning that these threaten not just public health but also the city’s economic momentum and investor confidence.
Speaking at the “Water Dialogue 2025” on Tuesday, Treñas called on national agencies, private stakeholders, and utility providers to rally behind immediate and long-term water solutions. He cited data: only 27% of city households are connected to potable water, and just a fraction of those enjoy uninterrupted supply.
“We need water not tomorrow. We need water yesterday,” the mayor declared. “We can only ensure continued growth and investor interest if we have water — or at least, a plan that shows clear improvements within the next three years.”
Treñas stressed that the city’s current reliance on water refilling stations and shallow wells — many of which are located near septic tanks — poses serious health risks. He linked previous outbreaks of Acute Gastroenteritis (AGE) to unsafe water sources, reinforcing the urgency of comprehensive water infrastructure reform.
The forum, themed “Water We Waiting For? Advancing Integrated Water Resource Management for a Resilient and Sustainable Western Visayas,” brought together government officials, civil society, and business leaders to confront the deepening crisis.
Business sector leaders echoed the urgency. Emil Diez, president of the Iloilo Business Club, contextualized Iloilo’s situation within a national water crisis. He said the Philippines has been under water stress since 2007, with per capita availability now at just 1,373 cubic meters — below the United Nations’ water stress threshold.
“Nearly 500 million cubic meters of water is lost each year due to leaks and outdated infrastructure,” Diez warned. “These are not just statistics. These are red flags.”
Treñas urged greater alignment between national government agencies and local initiatives. He specifically cited the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), National Water Resources Board (NWRB), Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), and the Public-Private Partnership Center as critical to delivering meaningful progress.
“We’re not asking for miracles,” Treñas said. “We’re asking for action. Water is not just about daily needs—it’s about health, business, education, and survival. Iloilo needs a sustainable solution. Not later. Now.”/PN
