The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and the Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) signed a memorandum of understanding Tuesday to conduct a feasibility study on transferring a portion of NIA’s water rights from the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project Stage II (JRMP II) to MIWD.
The feasibility study aims to help bring down water cost in Iloilo City and neighboring towns while ensuring adequate water supply.
“The JRMP II is a landmark government project, and this partnership opens new doors for optimizing its benefits beyond irrigation,” MIWD general manager Alfredo Tayo III said.
“Through this MOU, we are laying the groundwork to responsibly utilize part of the Jalaur River’s water resources for safe, reliable, and accessible drinking water.”
The agreement, signed by NIA Administrator Eduardo Eddie Guillen and Tayo at the NIA office in Quezon City, aims to support bulk water supply needs in Iloilo City and nearby municipalities through a government-to-government arrangement. The project requires approval from the National Water Resources Board (NWRB).
Under the MOU, MIWD will lead a feasibility study to assess the technical, financial, legal and environmental viability of allocating up to 1 cubic meter per second ― or 86 million liters per day ― from NIA’s JRMP II water rights. The study also covers the development of supporting infrastructure, including a segment of the high-line canal.
While NIA retains full ownership of the overall Highline Canal system, MIWD will be responsible for the construction, ownership and operation of the canal segment that delivers raw water to its facilities. Ownership of that section will revert to NIA after an unspecified period.
MIWD, which serves Iloilo City and the municipalities of Cabatuan, Maasin, Oton, Pavia, Leganes, San Miguel and Santa Barbara, will also build and operate the intake and treatment systems that will provide clean, potable water to the public.
MIWD views the partnership as an efficient and strategic move to address long-term water security and affordability for its growing customer base. Alena Mae S. Flores
The MOU signals the start of a one-year joint evaluation by NIA and MIWD to finalize the terms of cooperation.
The initiative supports the government’s push to establish water security and is expected to lead to a formal agreement allowing JRMP II to serve both agricultural and domestic needs.
JRMP II is the first major water reservoir project outside Luzon and includes components for bulk water supply, hydropower and solar energy.
NIA has tapped the Asian Development Bank for transaction advisory services, including project structuring, pricing and the integration of social considerations such as tariff affordability for MIWD customers.
