Joint venture for Iloilo water distribution project

ILOILO CITY—The R12.3-billion water distribution project for Iloilo City and seven neighboring towns will be formalized Thursday by state-owned Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) and private firm Metro Pacific Water Investments Corp. (MetroPac).

“We hope this joint venture can improve water services,” said MIWD Chairman Teodoro Robles, who is signing the agreement with MetroPac President Laurence Rogero.

Robles told Manila Bulletin the partnership with MetroPac is the solution to recurring water woes.

Because it lacked financial resources, MIWD faced problems that hampered efficient service to consumers in the city as well as the towns of Pavia, Sta. Barbara, Cabatuan, San Miguel, Oton, Maasin, and Leganes.

MIWD General Manager Imelda Magsuci said the second joint venture is set to transfer MIWD operations to MetroPac for a 25-year period.

Under the joint venture, MetroPac will also fund the rehabilitation, expansion, upgrade, and maintenance of MIWD’s existing facilities at the same time establishing wastewater treatment facilities.

MetroPac also has an 80-percent stake in Metro Iloilo Bulk Water Supply Corp. (MIB), its first joint venture with MIWD.

MIB has been able to increase water supply to 47 millions of liter per day (MLD) from only more than 30 MLD while extending assistance to MIWD in reducing non-revenue water.