Metro Pacific Iloilo Water (MPIW) continues to make steady progress on its ongoing major pipelaying projects in Iloilo City to improve water service reliability despite facing various operational, environmental, and logistical challenges in project implementation.
Since taking over operations six years ago, MPIW has remained committed to solving Iloilo’s water problems through strategic infrastructure investments and water distribution system modernization, investing P4.2 billion to date all water related investments and pouring in additional P11 billion in total investments in the next 5-10 years, including the future Metro Iloilo Desalination Facility.
“We’ve been operating at a loss for six years, but we’re not backing down,” said Kathleen Sadio, Commercial Department Head, in a media briefing. “Even in the face of continuously rising bulk water supply costs, operational, material costs, and regulatory issues, we’ve made significant progress — because this is our commitment to Iloilo.”
MPIW’s project rollout has faced a variety of implementation challenges, such as coordination hurdles with regulatory agencies, supply chain issues in materials, weather conditions, and permitting delays. Despite these, MPIW has maintained momentum on key projects through participatory planning, multi-stakeholder coordination, and adaptive project management.
“We’ve refined some of our processes to be more coordinated and responsive to on-the-ground realities,” Sadio noted. “We now implement phased construction, strengthen collaboration with the DPWH and LGUs, and intensify further our public communication to minimize disruption.”
Under its P5-billion medium-term capital expenditure plan, MPIW is investing P1.3 billion in 2025 alone to implement six major infrastructure projects covering more than 40 kilometers of new pipelines; HS Jaro Phases 1 & 2 to recover 10 million liters per day (MLD) ; Pipe Replacement Projects in Q. Abeto–R. Mapa, Iloilo City Proper Phase 2, Bo. Obrero, Mansaya Lapuz, and Sinikway and Modular Water Treatment Facility (WTF) – adding 1 MLD by December 2025, and 4 MLD more by April 2026
These projects are critical to enhancing water pressure, reducing system losses, and expanding coverage across Iloilo City.
MPIW’s aggressive campaign to reduce Non-Revenue Water (NRW) — treated water lost through leaks, pilferage, or outdated pipelines likewise continues to show strong results, on track to bring NRW levels down to 35% by 2027.
The recently approved tariff rate adjustment from the Local Water Utilities Administration that will push the basic charge from P20 to P28.67 per cubic meter is vital to support operational expenses (OPEX) — such as power, chemicals, labor, and fuel etc. — not capital expenditures. She stressed that MPIW has been subsidizing bulk water supply costs in recent years, prompting the need for the adjustment.
“This tariff adjustment does not fund infrastructure projects or capital expenditures,” Sadio clarified. “It ensures we can continue operating efficiently, meeting regulatory standards, and delivering consistent service — even as inflation, energy costs, bulk water supply costs and operational demands increase.”
Despite the increase, MPIW maintained that its rates remain among the lowest in Metro Iloilo and compared with other highly urbanized cities, noting that South Balibago Waterworks, another distributor serving most of Jaro, charges P35.65 per cubic meter, while Metro Cebu charges P24.30 and Davao charges P21.40 per cubic meter.
MPIW is preparing for the integration of future large-scale water sources into its system, including the Metro Iloilo Desalination Facility targeted to be online for 2027 and allocation of the bulk water supply from Jalaur River Multipurpose Project Stage II (JRMP II) in partnership with MIWD once all major pipelaying projects are completed,
These sources will significantly increase Iloilo’s long-term water capacity, and current infrastructure upgrades are designed to be compatible with these future inflows.
MPIW’s goal is to finish key groundwork before the new water sources arrive.MPIW’s ongoing projects form part of its 25-year joint venture agreement, reflecting its long-term commitment to delivering clean, reliable, and equitable water to all Ilonggos.
