Metro Pacific Iloilo Water (MPIW) plans to install a modular water treatment plant within eight months as a temporary solution to Iloilo City’s water shortage.
MPIW chief operating officer Angelo David Berba acknowledged that the current water supply is insufficient to meet demand.
“Mayor Treñas is emphasizing the urgency of improving our water services in Iloilo City,” Berba said after meeting with Mayor Jerry Treñas on Monday, March 17.
MPIW is currently identifying a location for the PHP400-million modular treatment plant, which will have a capacity of 5 million liters per day (MLD).
In addition to the modular plant, MPIW will launch four total pipe replacement projects to address non-revenue water. It is already securing permits from the Department of Public Works and Highways and the city government.
Berba said their ongoing 66.5 million liters per day (MLD) desalination plant investment will greatly help, but it will only satisfy 60 percent of the total demand for the city.
“That’s why we are highlighting that the long-term solution is the Jalaur (River Multipurpose Project II). We have to secure the Jalaur because it’s a big volume, 80 MLD,” he said, adding it could provide up to 80 MLD.
Treñas, in a statement, said he called the meeting to express dissatisfaction with the current water supply situation.
“The reality is that Iloilo City is growing rapidly, and so are our neighboring towns. The demand for water is increasing, and we need a comprehensive solution,” he said.
Treñas said that in over five years of operation, MPIW has only met 27 percent of the city’s water needs.
“I was very happy when MPIW took over because I believed they would solve our water problem. But until every household in Iloilo City has a reliable and redundant water supply, we cannot be satisfied,” he added.
MPIW currently supplies around 40 to 50 MLD to Iloilo City.PNA
