Boracay Water pipelines P240 M for service upgrade

Boracay Island Water Co. Inc. has earmarked P240 million to bankroll its capital expenditure this year to improve water and wastewater services in Boracay Island.

The subsidiary of Manila Water Philippine Ventures said in a statement the budget would cover projects on water supply, wastewater management and environmental sustainability.

For water supply, Boracay Water said projects include the rehabilitation of Manocmanoc reservoir and Bolabog pumping station, as well as the continuous replacement of water pipes within the business unit’s water system.

On wastewater management and environmental sustainability, Boracay Water is spending P50 million for the continuation of the Balabag sewage treatment plant upgrade to add the removal of biological nutrients in wastewater treatment.

The business unit has also allocated P15 million for the implementation of the Phase two and three of Project Monsoon, Boracay Water’s free sewer connection program.

Boracay Water also intends to connect 912 accounts to the available sewer network within 100 meters in compliance with the Sanitation Code of the Philippines.

Furthermore, three lift stations in Sinagpa, Diniwid and Dreamland would also be constructed for a total cost of P16 million.

The company said the projects are expected to address critical infrastructure needed for service improvement and in compliance with the mandates of the regulatory agencies such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Health. “Boracay Water’s substantial investment reflects a proactive approach to contribute to the island’s long-term environmental sustainability, especially on the non-stop influx of foreign and local tourists,” the company said.

Based on the monitoring of the Malay Municipal Tourism Office, more than 2.1 million tourists visited Boracay Island in 2023.

Boracay Water is a concessionaire of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority.

From January to September last year, Boracay Water’s billed volume for commercial and residential accounts remained flat at 2.5 million cubic meters.

The company’s earnings jumped 154 percent increase to P30 million, while revenue surged by 53 percent to P463.8 million during the nine-month period last year.

In line with the recovery of demand and activity in the island, total cost and expenses increased by 22 percent versus last year driven mainly by higher power costs, chemicals and overhead.