BY GEROME DALIPE IV
ILOILO City – Metro Pacific Iloilo Water (MPIW) has completed a P7-million water pipeline project to supply potable water, benefiting nearly 1,500 households in Sitio Ilaya, Barangay Tabuc Suba, and Barangay San Isidro, both in Jaro district, marking a significant step towards addressing long-standing water infrastructure gaps and enhancing the quality of life for residents there.
The pipe laying project, which stretches to 925 linear meters and 150 millimeters (mm) diameter pipes, is a transformative project designed to extend vital water services to previously unserved communities Jaro.
Most of the residents in the area are dependent on shallow wells which are often prone to contamination and other waterborne diseases.
“The Sitio Ilaya Expansion Project is part of Metro Pacific Iloilo Water’s investment to achieve long-term service reliability for our customers. We deeply appreciate the Iloilo City LGU and its residents’ efforts and cooperation in making this project possible,” MPIW chief operating officer Angelo David Berba said.
The inauguration of the pipeline was attended by Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzaon, councilors Rommel Duron and Johnny Young, and Executive Assistant Raisa Treñas who represented her father, Mayor Jerry Treñas.
MPIW, in partnership with the Iloilo City Government and MIWD, has completed service improvement and expansion projects for Iloilo City this year with a total investment of P25 million which includes this new pipeline, and five other ongoing projects with a total investment close to P400 million and additional four projects to be rolled-out this 4th quarter of the year with estimated project cost of approximately P350 million.
“Today’s inauguration is not just about unveiling a new piece of water infrastructure; it’s a testament to our ongoing efforts to bridge service gaps and advancing infrastructure projects that will foster community development and enhance public welfare “added Berba.
The new pipeline will be added to MPIW’s upgraded water distribution network which now expands to 26,000 linear meters. MPIW serves 30,000 connections in Iloilo City providing water to an estimated 150, 000 individuals.
Currently, MPIW has six ongoing service expansion and improvement projects worth P220 million, which aim to address the growing demand for reliable water supply in more communities, particularly in areas needing reliable water services.
Two of the six projects have been completed: the P14.8-million retrofitting of Carpenters Bridge and the service expansion project in Barangay Camalig amounted to P2.9 million, totaling about P17.7 million.
These latest milestones resulted in 67 percent of MPIW’s customers experiencing 24-hour water availability, reflecting the effectiveness of MPIW’s ongoing pipeline service enhancement projects.
On the other hand, 48 percent of the firm’s customers in Iloilo City, or about 14,000 service connections, now experience 24/7 water availability. To date, MPIW has close to 49,000 service water connections.
The four other ongoing service expansion and improvement projects including the hydraulic system Jaro pipe replacement worth P199 million; Diversion Road to San Rafael service improvement and expansion worth P199 million; service expansion in Lanit, Jaro, (P2.65-million); and the service expansion at Sito Ilaya in Jaro district worth P199-million.
Presently, the water interruptions are caused by regular pipeline maintenance and scheduled emergency leak repairs.
MPIW assured the public the schedule of its regular leak repair and maintenance activities are being done during off-hours in the evening to lessen the impact on customers and commuters.
Apart from the pipe laying projects, MPIW has replaced old water infrastructure assets it took over from Metro Iloilo Water District, such as the fire hydrants and blow-offs used to flush out water during maintenance activities./PN
