Largest desalination plant in Philippines to rise in Iloilo

GROUNDBREAKING Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla (fourth from left)) and business tycoon Manuel Pangilinan (second from right) lead the groundbreaking ceremony of the Metro Iloilo Desalination Facility in Iloilo City on Feb. 21, 2025. PHOTO COURTESY OF ILOILO CITY GOVERNMENT

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., Metropac Water Investments Corp. (MPIC) Chairman Manuel Pangilinan, and Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla led the groundbreaking ceremony of the facility on Feb. 21, in Barangay Ingore, La Paz.

MPW said the P5.5-billion state-of-the-art plant can convert 66.5 million liters of saltwater into potable water per day, addressing Iloilo's increasing demand for clean drinking water.

Once operational, it is expected to benefit over 400,000 residents by providing Metro Iloilo residents a reliable and consistent water source using advanced reverse osmosis technology.

MPW President Cristopher Andrew Pangilinan emphasized the company's commitment to providing sustainable water solutions to its Iloilo customers.

"This innovative and sustainable desalination facility will provide a long-term solution to the water challenges of Iloilo," he said.

Pangilinan also said that the facility provides a sustainable and uninterrupted supply of potable water even during droughts or low rainfall by reducing the region's reliance on unpredictable freshwater sources like rivers and groundwater.

With Iloilo's thriving economy, Treñas said investing in sustainable infrastructure like a desalination plant is essential to meet the urgent needs of the city today and in the future.

"Our beloved city is experiencing tremendous growth. Our economy is thriving, driven by key sectors such as our BPOs and tourism, while our population continues to expand. But with growth come great challenges — particularly in ensuring a reliable and sustainable water supply for our communities," he said.

"This plant will ensure that as Iloilo City continues to grow, we can provide a consistent and dependable water supply for all residents," he added.

The desalination plant is a joint project of MPW, the consortium of SUEZ, and Jemco.

MPW is a wholly owned subsidiary of MPIC, a lead investor for water and wastewater infrastructure projects outside Metro Manila and across Asia.

SUEZ, a France-based water and waste management solutions provider with over 50 years of experience, will oversee the construction and operation of the facility.

Jemco, on the other hand, is a premier construction company in the country that will collaborate with SUEZ on the construction aspect of the project.