Metro Pacific Water (MPW) has begun building the Metro Iloilo Desalination Facility, set to be the country’s largest desalination plant.
The facility was launched in Barangay Ingore, La Paz, on February 21, an event attended by Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr., Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) Chairman Manuel Pangilinan, and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla.
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Project benefits
At a forum on February 26, MPW Chief Financial Officer Jose Mari Lazo announced that the ₱5.5-billion desalination plant will supply treated water to 700,000 Iloilo residents and benefit businesses. The facility will use reverse osmosis to produce 66,500 cubic meters of potable water daily, ensuring a stable and sufficient supply.
Lazo explained, “The consumption would be about more or less 90 percent domestic while the 10 percent would go to commercial, but this would depend on the areas of economic development.” He noted that the cutting-edge, eco-friendly plant offers a lasting solution to Iloilo’s water shortages.
The plant is expected to be finished by 2027.
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Solving water scarcity
The project, which partners with French desalination firm Suez, will transform seawater into drinking water. Once completed, it will be the Philippines’ largest desalination facility.
According to Lazo, traditional water sources, such as freshwater and dams, are at risk due to climate change. Droughts can cause shortages, and groundwater may become contaminated. He explained, “This (desalination project) is a game changer as you are now tapping into seawater, which is vast and abundant.”
Lazo also highlighted that nearly 97% of the Earth’s water comes from the sea, while only about 2.5% is freshwater. To support freshwater production, the desalination plant will draw seawater through pipelines positioned 12 meters below the surface.
“What we’re trying to resolve here is the water scarcity in the Philippines,” Lazo stated. “We believe that by following Iloilo City’s lead in this project, we can ensure that we can create a future where water scarcity is not a barrier to economic development in an area like the Philippines.”
For Mayor Treñas, Iloilo’s growing economy makes investing in long-term, sustainable developments essential for meeting current and future demands.
“For the first time, a dedicated water source will be allocated to the City Proper district, effectively addressing the long-standing issue of water scarcity in the area,” he stated adding that the plant “will ensure that as Iloilo City continues to grow, we can provide a consistent and dependable water supply for all residents.”
He stressed the importance of clean drinking water, recalling a widespread gastroenteritis outbreak in 2022 that impacted the entire city, including Barangay Ingore.
Waste-to-energy (WtE) facility
MPW intends to partially power the desalination via a waste-to-energy (WtE) facility, which is already in development to support the project.
“We’re exhausting all measures to make sure that this is affordable for the Iloilo residents,” Lazo said. “We’re not only employing cost-efficient technology but at the same time combining the usage of renewable energy.”
Lazo stated that MPIC and the Iloilo City government will partner on the WtE project. The city generates around 470 tons of waste daily, which will be processed into biomass energy to help energize the desalination plant.
The WtE plant is designed to generate around 3.5 megawatts of power using environmentally friendly methods, helping extend the lifespan of the Calahunan landfill.
Sources:
https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2025/02/28/2424755/tapping-water-technology