SAFE, RELIABLE water service is coming to more homes in San Miguel, Iloilo, as Metro Pacific Iloilo Water (MPIW) continues to expand its reach across the communities it serves.
MPIW, led by Chief Operating Officer Angelo David C. Berba, officially broke ground yesterday on a service expansion project in barangays 1 and 4 of San Miguel. The ceremony was attended by Mr. Vicente Flores Jr., head of the General Services Office of the Provincial Government of Iloilo, representing Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., Mayor Bonifacio Salapantan Jr., Vice Mayor Atty. Rochin Sherwin Sanchez, members of the Sangguniang Bayan, the barangay councils of both barangays, and residents of the community.
The project will install 740 meters of water pipeline at a total cost of 6.1 million pesos, with construction running from June to October 2026. Today, only 102 households in the area have a water connection. By October, that number will rise to 279, and the daily water supply reaching the community will nearly triple. For 177 families, this project means having running water at home for the very first time.
Berba made clear that the project runs deeper than infrastructure. “Access to safe, clean water is not a privilege. It is something every household deserves, regardless of where they live,” he said.
He pointed to MPIW’s turnover of a permanent handwashing facility at the San Miguel Public Market last May 22 as a reflection of that commitment. “MPIW is here not just to lay pipes, but to invest in the communities we serve,” he added.
The groundbreaking drew strong participation from local government, underscoring the close coordination that brought the project to life.
“The work of MPIW in San Miguel has always moved forward because we move together,” Berba said, expressing gratitude to both the Provincial Government of Iloilo and the Municipality of San Miguel for their continued trust and partnership.
Engineering Division head Engr. Marian Mesina spoke directly to the residents present, acknowledging the disruption that construction will bring.
“Alam namin na may abala ang konstruksyon. There will be noise, there will be digging, and there will be days when the street looks like a worksite. We ask for your patience. What comes after is worth it,” she said.
MPIW committed to coordinating closely with barangay officials throughout construction to keep residents informed and concerns addressed.
The San Miguel expansion is part of MPIW’s broader service expansion program currently being rolled out across Iloilo. For the families of Barangays 1 and 4, it means that by October, water will finally be at their door./PN
