ILOILO City – Aboitiz InfraCapital (AIC) clarified that its proposed Iloilo Bulk Water Supply Project remains unaffected by the recently signed memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA).
The company said its project, which has already received unanimous endorsement from the Iloilo City Council, will continue as planned and is aimed at providing immediate and long-term solutions to the city’s water challenges.
“We continue to proceed with our Iloilo Bulk Water Supply Project proposal to deliver urgent and collaborative solutions to meet Iloilo’s water challenges,” AIC said in a statement.
While MIWD and NIA are set to undertake a year-long feasibility study on the potential use of water from the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project Phase II (JRMP II), AIC emphasized that its own plans are already more advanced. The company pointed out that it already has an MOU with NIA and has submitted a concrete infrastructure development and financial plan for the use of JRMP II as a water source.
AIC also confirmed that it is in discussions with NIA and the Iloilo City Government regarding the necessary arrangements to secure a water permit, which it considers a key requirement for moving the project forward.
“This will immediately benefit Ilonggos who continue to bear the impact of dry taps and poor service,” the company added.
AIC’s bulk water supply is expected to come from JRMP II, the same source now being studied under the MIWD-NIA partnership. The feasibility study will assess the technical, legal, and financial viability of providing domestic water supply through the JRMP II system.
Despite this parallel development, AIC reiterated that its proposal is moving forward and is positioned to deliver results more quickly, offering a potential solution to the water scarcity affecting Iloilo residents./PN
