In what is being viewed as a desperate attempt to make up for lost ground, MIWD appears to be playing catch-up on long-delayed investments, to the significant frustration of Ilonggo consumers still suffering from a clear lack of water.
The joint venture between Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) and its private sector partner claimed it is working on a pipeline rehabilitation program – six years after MIWD first announced its partnership.
Public Anger Rising – Ilonggos Still Without Water
However, on the ground, the situation is much more dire as Ilonggos continue to vent their anger on MIWD, a sad culmination of unfulfilled promises despite a six-year head start.
For one, Ilonggos are noting the glaring lack of 24/7 water, and even unjust payment penalties imposed despite unacceptable water quality.
“Nonsense! 9 to 11am nga tubig, indi pa kasaka sa lababo, de color pa kon kaisa! May text nga more than 400 payment centers na kuno, pero pigado serbisyo, wala gid nga-level up. Ang nag-level up and penalty kon late bayad, kag more bayad centers. MPIW HELLO! !#!!!?? We deserve better!” read a comment on MPIW’s own Facebook page, dated August 3, 2025.
MPIW’s August 1, 2025 Facebook post announcing its investment was met with severe criticism from consumers tired of dealing with service inefficiencies, and already unwilling to believe and trust plans that are being made by MIWD.
“Operating at a loss? Is that the reason why your services are substandard?!” a Facebook user said.
“Kahit hindi nyo ipakita ang bilyon nyo na gasto kung ik lng ang serbisyo maniwala kmi sa inyo ay bilyon yung gasto nyo wala namang tubig sino naman manuwala sa inyo kagaya
nitong mga huli nyong performance puropasaway ginGawa nyo,” another comment read.
Average Ilonggos are not taking too kindly to MIWD’s plans, viewing these as empty promises – as empty as the very taps that are increasing across the city.
“Billion ang ginagastos nyo, indi gyapon kalab ot serbisyo nyo sa blay…sige bayad ko bill, hangin ga gwa sa bomba!!!,” another comment stated.
Wasted Operations: Nearly Half of Iloilo Water Supply Going To Waste
It was announced that the Non-Revenue Water rate in Iloilo City now stands at 47%, down from over 60% in 2019. This remains way beyond the accepted industry standard of 20%, underscoring MIWD’s continued inefficiencies.
More importantly, this simply means that after six years of operations, nearly half of MIWD’s operations result in wasted water that does not go to its consumers’ taps – and so almost all of Iloilo City remains waterless.
So for now, Ilonggos now anxiously wait–and watch. But for how long?
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. has already called for a probe into underperforming water districts and their joint venture partners. This is a most welcome move.
Yet further intervention from the national government is an even better move. Perhaps the Iloilo City government is better equipped to address MIWD’s obvious shortfalls. Recognizing the city’s urgent need, the Iloilo City government has already launched the much-anticipated Iloilo City Bulk Water Supply Project, which is already swiftly moving forward.
Once completed, the Iloilo City Bulk Water Supply Project will deliver 86 MLD of potable water to Iloilo City, addressing the city’s current water shortage.
At the end of the day – no amount of fresh promises can quench a community’s immediate thirst, nor can they wash away the anger and frustration of years without reliable access to this most basic human need.
